Gut Reaction
Body’s own cannabinoids help fight off stomach bugs in mice
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.
- M Ellermann et al., Cell [Online ahead of print] (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.09.022
After studying biology at Imperial College London, I got my start in biomedical publishing as a commissioning editor for healthcare journals, and I’ve spent my career covering everything from early-stage research to clinical medicine. Attracted by the creativity, talent and passion of the team, I joined Texere Publishing in 2014, where I’m now Associate Content Director and Editor of The Cannabis Scientist.
