Link between Crohn's disease and fatty tissue in the gut revealed

Date:
October 4, 2021
Source:
University of Limerick
Summary:
New research has revealed a direct link between fatty tissue and
Crohn's disease.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research led by University of Limerick in Ireland has revealed a
direct link between fatty tissue and Crohn's disease.


==========================================================================
The study, carried out by researchers at UL along with a team from
University Hospital Limerick, is suggesting for the first time that
Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel condition, may in fact
be a fatty intestine condition.

The research, published in leading journal Scientific Reports, has been described as "an exciting starting point" for the further exploration of Crohn's disease, which affects thousands of people every year in Ireland
and internationally.

The study involved body composition analysis of patients with Crohn's
disease using equipment hosted on the UL campus, with the UL team
collaborating with gastroenterology and surgical specialists in UHL.

"People with Crohn's disease incorporate fat into their body in a way
that is different to people who do not have Crohn's, and appear to preferentially lay down fat on the lower parts of their body rather
than the abdomen," explained Professor Colum Dunne, Foundation Chair
and Director of Research at the UL School of Medicine.

"In our study it was evident that, in the abdominal areas where the
intestines are located, Crohn's related ulcers or lesions and inflammation
are associated with higher depositions of fat. More simply, in that part
of their body that has relatively less overall fat, disease shows up
as linked with fatty tissue surrounding the gut," explained Professor
Dunne, who led the study along with Professor Phil Jakeman in Physical Education and Sport Sciences at UL, Professor J Calvin Coffey in the UL
School of Medicine and Dr Maeve Skelly in UHL.



==========================================================================
"In UL, our studies have focused on intestinal disease using novel
approaches that result from the insight and diverse perspectives of UL
and UHL researchers," he explained.

"We brought together our emerging new knowledge of intestinal anatomy, biochemical signals, and UL's expertise in body composition analysis. That analysis is more often used in study of athletes or looking at changes
in the body as we age. Here, we found evidence that Crohn's disease,
and where inflammation happens in the intestine, is directly linked to
fatty tissue in those locations.

"We also found that patients with Crohn's disease appear to incorporate
fat into their bodies in a way that is not the same as people who do
not have this illness," he added.

The latest research follows previous studies of mesenteric microbiology
and detection of blood-borne biomarkers that Professor Dunne's group
have published in recent years.

It also builds on work done by Professor J Calvin Coffey, Foundation
Chair of Surgery at UL Medical School, whose groundbreaking research led
to the reclassification of a part of the human digestive system known
as the mesentery as a new organ.

Professor Dunne said the latest research was "a practical example of
impact in real world clinical care." "There is a lot happening in this
area at University of Limerick.Our research benefits from ability to look
at clinical problems as part of interdisciplinary teams. For example,
our approach in exploring inflammatory bowel disease has resulted in development of a new diagnostic test that differentiates Crohn's disease
from ulcerative colitis based on blood-borne biomarkers, and may enable monitoring of treatment without need for endoscopy.

"This type of innovation relies on team members who contribute diverse expertise, ranging from lab-based analysis to front-line clinical
specialists.

The close relationship between the University and hospitals in Limerick encourages that way of working," Professor Dunne added.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Limerick. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Lisa Dowling, Philip Jakeman, Catherine Norton, Maeve M. Skelly,
Hamid
Yousuf, Miranda G. Kiernan, Margaret Toomey, Sheila Bowers,
Suzanne S.

Dunne, J. Calvin Coffey, Colum P. Dunne. Adults with Crohn's disease
exhibit elevated gynoid fat and reduced android fat irrespective
of disease relapse or remission. Scientific Reports, 2021; 11 (1)
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98798-9 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211004104215.htm

--- up 4 weeks, 4 days, 8 hours, 25 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)