GM probiotics
The effectiveness of "live tablets" from GMO bacteria has been proven
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
The researchers taught the bacteria to process more ammonia than usual in order to stop the effects of improper metabolism, which can be fatal. Experiments have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the technique.
In patients suffering from hyperammonemia, due to problems with the liver, the function of converting ammonia into urea is impaired. The toxic compound accumulates in the blood and affects the brain. In mild cases, people lose their appetite and feel tired, but severe forms of the disease can lead to death, the Guardian reports.
About half of the ammonia circulating in the body comes from symbiotic bacteria inhabiting the intestines. Synlogic startup used this feature to create a "living medicine".
The researchers took E. coli as a basis — a well-studied symbiotic species of bacteria that has been used as a prebiotic for about a century. E. coli converts ammonia into the harmless amino acid arginine. The bacteria's genes have been modified so that it consumes more ammonia than usual. At the same time, in order to control the population of the microorganism, its ability to reproduce was disabled. In addition, scientists have taken measures against the horizontal transfer of altered genes to other symbiotic bacteria.
Then the "live medicine" was tested on mice with an analogue of hyperammonemia. During the experiment, GMO bacteria halved the concentration of ammonia in the blood and increased the survival rate of animals. All individuals from the control group died within a week, half of the mice treated were still alive 10 days later.
At the next stage, the researchers started experimenting with people. 52 healthy volunteers who received the "live medicine" did not report serious side effects. Analysis of their urine showed that the bacteria act as intended and decompose ammonia. Within two weeks after the start of the tests, the microorganisms died of natural causes and were removed from the body.
Just a few years ago, the use of genetically modified bacteria in medicine was considered a fantasy. However, thanks to new technologies, this method can form the basis of new drugs in the coming years.
Metabolic disorders can be very dangerous for health. For example, a recent study showed that improper iron metabolism significantly increases the risk of a number of serious diseases.
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