Study Reveals Mechanism Behind Dietary Therapy for Crohn's Disease - Video

Researchers have been able to decipher the mechanism behind the dietary therapy also known as exclusive enteral nutrition for crohn's disease. Based on the results, they are launching a clinical study combining dietary therapy with faecal microbiome transfer to further enhance treatment outcomes.

Vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids: the formula for exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) contains all essential nutrients and is highly effective for managing Crohn's disease, often improving symptoms within a few days and without additional medical treatment.

The researchers demonstrated how the gut microbiome -- the complex community of all microbes in the intestine -- changes as a result of dietary therapy and contributes to the treatment success.

They found that the medium-chain fatty acids in the diet positively affect certain gut bacteria, which proliferate and reduce inflammation. The study reveals even more: in an artificial intestinal model, researchers treated patients' stool with the formula, thus adapting the microbiome. When this adapted microbiome was transferred to mice, no inflammation developed. However, when the microbiome was not pre-adapted by the formula, the mice developed typical inflammatory symptoms.

The team is now conducting a clinical study to investigate whether this mechanism also works in humans -- meaning whether a healthier microbiome can be established following the "microbiome reboot." The aim is to sustain the inflammation-free state for as long as possible. To achieve this, the researchers are utilizing fecal microbiome transfer, commonly referred to as "fecal transplant," following dietary therapy.

Reference: https://www.tum.de/en/news-and-events/all-news/press-releases/details/clinical-study-on-new-therapy-for-crohns-disease