DECEMBER 7, 2020
Primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) patients have less diversity in their gut microbiome — with less abundant beneficial bacteria but more abundant opportunistic bacteria with pro-inflammatory activity — compared with healthy people, a study suggests.
Patients also had higher levels of pro-inflammatory immune signaling molecules, which were associated with the presence of disease-causing bacteria in the gut.
These findings suggest a role for the gut microbiome in Sjogren’s syndrome and may help in the development of therapies that control microbiome-driven inflammation.
Some simple tests that have probably never been looked at on here.
In patients, blood tests revealed significantly higher levels of the protein zonulin, which modulates the permeability of cells of the digestive tract wall, suggesting more intestinal permeability in those with Sjogren’s.
Also, patients had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory immune signaling proteins (cytokines), including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-12, and TNF-alpha, and significantly lower concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.