Gut bacteria that worsen colitis
Exacerbation of colitis by the microbiota
This research looks at whether common antibiotics and processed foods change gut bacteria so a sugar alcohol called sorbitol builds up and makes colitis worse, and whether probiotics or enzyme pills can help people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319307 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have IBD, researchers are using a new mouse model that behaves like human colitis to see how antibiotics and high‑fat or processed diets cut back helpful Clostridia bacteria and allow sorbitol to accumulate in the gut. They will measure changes in gut bacteria, sorbitol levels, water movement in the intestines, and markers of inflammation, and then try fixes such as probiotic bacteria or oral enzymes that break down sorbitol. The goal is to find simple ways to prevent the sorbitol buildup that worsens inflammation and to point toward treatments or diet changes that could reduce flares for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with inflammatory bowel disease—especially ulcerative colitis or other forms of colitis, and those with a history of early-life antibiotics or diets high in processed foods or artificial sweeteners—would be the most relevant future participants.
Not a fit: People without IBD or those whose disease is driven by factors unrelated to gut microbes or sugar‑alcohol metabolism may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to probiotic or enzyme-based treatments and clearer dietary advice to help prevent or reduce colitis flares.
How similar studies have performed: Past studies have linked antibiotics, high‑fat diets, and microbiota loss to increased IBD risk, but targeting sorbitol buildup with probiotics or oral enzymes is a newer approach with limited clinical testing so far.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baumler, Andreas J — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Baumler, Andreas J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.