All articles tagged with #crohns disease
A Harvard Medical School study of ancient DNA from about 16,000 people over 10,000 years finds that the genetic variants behind red hair and fair skin may confer immune benefits (including potential HIV resistance and leprosy resistance) and lower arthritis risk, but also raise the risk of Crohn's disease and celiac disease due to gluten sensitivity, suggesting a trade‑off shaped by ancient selection and the spread of wheat farming.
Harvard Medical School researchers analyzed 10,000 years of DNA from about 16,000 people and found that the genetic variants behind red hair and fair skin were favored by natural selection, with potential immune benefits (including HIV resistance and leprosy resistance) and lower risk of certain conditions, but these same genes may raise the risk of gluten-related autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease and celiac disease, possibly linked to the advent of wheat farming; vitamin D production advantages were noted in earlier work.
Toronto model Jess Grossman, who lives with an ostomy after childhood Crohn’s disease and colon removal, says ER staff brushed off her persistent pelvic pain as endometriosis until a CT scan raised flags. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with rectal cancer four weeks from the first symptoms and is undergoing eight rounds of chemotherapy (16 weeks total) to shrink the tumor before potential surgery to remove the rectal stump. She documents her journey online to raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of early detection.
Paula Sojo’s viral TikTok recounts years of dismissed symptoms before a severe Crohn’s diagnosis at 18, followed by surgeries including a proctocolectomy and a permanent ostomy; now in remission and using her platform and her Osto•me Fashion brand to raise awareness, empower ostomy wearers, and push for earlier detection in others.
A large UK study (PREdiCCt) of over 2,600 people with inflammatory bowel disease found that higher baseline fecal calprotectin, a noninvasive stool marker of gut inflammation, strongly predicted future flares even when patients were symptom-free—UC patients with elevated calprotectin faced about a 34% objective flare risk within 2 years vs ~11% with low levels. Habitual meat intake was linked to nearly double the risk of ulcerative colitis flares, while other dietary factors showed no consistent associations; there was no such meat-flare link for Crohn’s disease. The results point to a potential for biomarker- and diet‑guided, personalized IBD management, using stool tests plus dietary data to forecast relapses months ahead. However, the study is observational and cannot prove causation, and local validation may be needed before widespread adoption.
Researchers showed that common gut bacteria have type III secretion systems that inject proteins into human cells, altering immune signaling (including NF-κB and cytokine responses); these interactions are enriched in Crohn’s disease microbiomes, suggesting commensals can actively shape inflammation and may help explain microbiome–disease links while guiding future therapies.
Israeli researchers have developed innovative technologies, including genetically engineered bacteria and a wearable stress monitor, to detect inflammatory bowel disease flare-ups before symptoms appear, potentially enabling earlier intervention and improved management of the condition.
Innovative Israeli technologies using engineered bacteria and wearable stress monitors aim to detect Crohn's disease flare-ups before symptoms appear, potentially transforming disease management by enabling earlier intervention and reducing complications.
This study uses spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analysis to uncover how specialized fibroblast niches, particularly FAS cells, contribute to the formation, progression, and persistence of Crohn's fistulae, highlighting their roles in tissue remodeling, immune regulation, and epithelial regeneration, with implications for targeted therapies.
Researchers at UC San Diego used AI and molecular biology to uncover how a gene called NOD2 influences macrophage behavior in Crohn's disease, revealing that a mutation disrupting the NOD2-girdin interaction leads to chronic inflammation, and paving the way for new treatments.
UC San Diego researchers used AI and molecular biology to uncover how the NOD2 gene influences macrophage behavior in Crohn's disease, revealing that mutations disrupt the balance between inflammatory and healing macrophages, which contributes to the disease's development.
UC San Diego researchers used AI and molecular biology to uncover how a mutation in the NOD2 gene disrupts the balance of inflammatory and healing macrophages in Crohn's disease, resolving a 25-year mystery and highlighting potential treatment avenues.
Researchers at MIT and McMaster University used AI, specifically DiffDock, to develop and understand a targeted antibiotic, enterololin, that treats gut bacteria linked to Crohn's disease with minimal impact on the microbiome, potentially revolutionizing treatment and reducing antimicrobial resistance.
A study shows that pro-inflammatory diets can worsen IBD symptoms, with those consuming such diets being up to three times more likely to experience moderate to severe disease, emphasizing the importance of an anti-inflammatory diet for managing IBD.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affecting up to 3.1 million adults in the U.S., is a chronic condition where the immune system attacks the intestines, causing inflammation and damage. Diagnosis involves medical history, physical exams, lab tests, and imaging like endoscopy or MRI. IBD differs from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which has similar symptoms but no underlying disease. Managing IBD requires a team approach to find effective medication and lifestyle strategies to prevent flare-ups and address related health issues.