The bacteria in our stomach could be the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a new study from Harvard University (USA). Through tests carried out on both individuals and animals, scientists have consolidated the theory that the intestinal flora plays a fundamental role in the development of autoimmune diseases.
The microbiota or set of microorganisms that coexist in our body is a double-edged sword. While it helps us digest food and infectious germs, it is also involved in allergic reactions and obesity. The list of drawbacks is expanded after this research, according to which it would be the trigger for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis , a disorder in which the body itself attacks the tissues of the joints.
The team of researchers analyzed fecal samples (reflecting the gut bacteria population) from 114 New York-area residents. Some subjects were healthy, while others suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. This second group was divided into those who had been treated and those who had not. The results showed that the patients without treatment carried a bacterium called Prevotella copri in 75% of the cases. This was cultivated in the laboratory and introduced into mice to verify that, in effect, it produced intestinal inflammation, although not directly arthritis.
The finding should be taken with caution according to experts, since genetics and environmental factors such as tobacco are also associated with the onset of arthritis . However, this study opens the door to a benign treatment that does not carry an increased risk of cancer or other diseases.
