On the trail of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases [27.05.22]
Could a disturbance of the internal clock be responsible for the onset of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs)? This question is being investigated at the University of Hohenheim by the two research teams led by Prof. Dr. W. Florian Fricke from the Department of Microbiome and Applied Bioinformatics and Prof. Dr. Axel Lorentz from the Department of Nutritional Medicine and Prevention. The Baden-Württemberg Foundation is funding this collaborative project to the tune of approximately EUR 425,000.
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are on the rise worldwide. So far, however, too little is known about the causes of their development which means that there are insufficient opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Changes in the composition of the gut flora or gut microbiome play a crucial role in these diseases. They disrupt the normal interaction between bacteria and the body's metabolism and immune system. This, in turn, promotes inflammatory processes.
According to Prof. Dr. W. Florian Fricke and Prof. Dr. Axel Lorentz, one cause of this imbalance in the microbiome and, by extension, in the development of bowel inflammation could be a disruption of the body's internal clock. It is controlled by changes in light, temperature, diet, and other environmental factors. This means that many cellular, biochemical, and physiological functions of the organism follow a 24-hour rhythm. The composition of the gut flora also changes over the course of the day.
Disruptions to what is referred to as the circadian clock can lead to changes in the organism's gene activity and thus influence inflammatory processes. For example, mice with bowel inflammation induced in experiments showed reduced activity of genes that control the internal clock as well as inflammatory responses. In addition, the researchers were able to detect specific changes in the composition and quantity of the bacterial microbiome of these mice immediately before and during active colitis.
In the new project, the researchers aim to increase their understanding of the role of the gut microbiome and biological clock in bowel inflammation and the mechanisms involved. This will form the basis for the development of new, innovative approaches to treating people with IBDs and improving their quality of life. For example, food intake at set times could reset the organism's internal clock, positively influence gut flora, and have anti-inflammatory action.
Project details
- Title: "Microbiome modulation via circadian clock disruption and resetting to promote or attenuate colitis" - SET-MBIO-CLOCK
- Funding amount: EUR 425,110
- Funding institution: Baden Württemberg Stiftung GmbH as part of the "Microbiome" program
- Project duration: 1 April 2022-31 March 2025
- Coordinator: Prof. Dr. W. Florian Fricke, Department of Microbiome and Applied Bioinformatics
- Partner: Prof. Dr. Axel Lorentz, Department of Nutritional Medicine/Prevention and Gender
Use of animals at the University of Hohenheim
The University of Hohenheim is the first signatory to the first Transparent Animal Testing Initiative launched in 2021. Knowledge gain and transmission for the benefit of all living beings and for the protection of our planet will not be possible in the foreseeable future without research and teaching involving animals. Society, legislators, and the University of Hohenheim itself apply very strict standards to the way this research is conducted. Back in 2017, the University already adopted Guidelines in which it continued to acknowledge the need for animal testing, but also committed itself to reducing, mitigating, and providing transparent information about this testing.
More information
Contact
Prof. Dr. W. Florian Fricke, University of Hohenheim, Department of Microbiome and Applied Bioinformatics
+49 711 459-24841, w.florian.fricke@uni-hohenheim.de
Prof. Dr. Axel Lorentz, University of Hohenheim, Department of Nutritional Medicine/Prevention and Gender
+49 711 459-24391, lorentz@uni-hohenheim.de
Heavyweights of research
The series “Heavyweights of Research" presents outstanding research projects with a financial volume of at least 350,000 euros for research requiring equipment or 150,000 euros for research without specialized equipment.
