Antibiotic misuse linked to increased risk of gut diseases, study finds

Scientists have discovered how the misuse of antibiotics contributes to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The latest research, published in "Science Advances," indicates that the leading cause of these conditions may lie in the damage to the intestinal mucosal lining, not just the impact on bacteria.

A research team from Bar-Ilan University in Israel conducted a detailed analysis of the effect of antibiotics on the intestines of mice. The study used advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing, machine learning, and mucus secretion measurement. The results confirm that antibiotics significantly affect the functioning of the intestinal mucosal lining, which can lead to serious health complications.

Researchers point out that in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, there is damage to this lining, which serves as a protective barrier.

We have discovered that antibiotic use actually damages the protective mucus layer that separates the immune system in the gut from the microbiome. This finding shatters the paradigm that antibiotics harm only bacteria and not our own cells – says Dr Shai Bel, the author of the publication.

Damage to the intestinal mucosal lining allows bacteria to penetrate tissues more easily, leading to an increased immune response, the proliferation of bacterial antigens, and the development of ulcers characteristic of these conditions. The study also showed that this adverse effect occurs regardless of how the antibiotics are administered—either orally or via injection.

Israeli scientists announced that in the future, they plan to research potential therapeutic methods that could mitigate the undesirable effects of antibiotics on intestinal mucus. They emphasise that their findings are important not only for understanding the mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease development but also for shaping safer antibiotic therapies in the future.

The research team calls for the cautious use of antibiotics and a thorough analysis of their impact on intestinal health.