Gut Reaction

Endocannabinoids modulate gut biology and appear to protect mice from becoming ill with certain "stomach bugs" (enteric bacteria) according to a new paper out in biology journal Cell (1). Researchers focused on an endocannabinoid called 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and found that it blocks virulence pathways in enteric bacteria; specifically, the bacterial QseC receptor.

Mice with elevated 2-AG (whether caused by genetics or drug treatment) had fewer symptoms and recovered faster than control mice. The researchers hope the findings might lead to new options for hard-to-treat infections in humans, such as drug-resistant E. coli.