New Delhi: An international team of researchers has shown how triclosan, an antimicrobial compound used in toothpaste, can cause inflammation in the gut.
The study, led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Hong Kong Baptist University, was published recently. nature communication magazine.
Certain bacteria and enzymes activate the harmful effects of triclosan
By conducting studies in mice, scientists have been able to identify bacteria and certain enzymes that activate the harmful effects of triclosan, which is also used in toys and thousands of other products.
Studies show that bacterial enzymes can be prevented from harming the intestines.
According to a statement released by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, study author Matthew Redinbow said identifying the culprit bacteria could lead to new approaches to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.
The new study gives a clearer picture of triclosan’s toxicity and the changes that occur in the gut microbiome.
How does triclosan cause inflammation in the gut?
Studies have found that triclosan wreaks havoc in the gut with the help of certain enzymes. The scientists linked certain gut microbial enzymes such as the gut microbial beta-glucuronidase (GUS) protein to triclosan and demonstrated how the compound causes inflammation in the intestinal tract.
The researchers blocked the processing of triclosan in the gut using a microbiome-targeted inhibitor, because they knew which bacterial proteins were the culprit.
By blocking the process in mice, the researchers prevented damage to the colon and symptoms of colitis, which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The findings are important because they suggest ideas about how IBD may be managed in the growing number of people diagnosed with it.
The authors noted in the study that a better understanding of the impact of environmental chemicals on gut health is important.
Why did the FDA ban the use of triclosan in certain products?
Prior to this, triclosan was widely used in antibacterial soaps. However, in 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) ordered its removal from handwashing products used in humans and in hospital settings.
Triclosan is still used as an ingredient in cosmetics, yoga mats, athletic clothing, and gear to reduce bacterial contamination. The FDA has approved the use of triclosan in toothpaste because this compound has been found to prevent gingivitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the gums.
The authors noted in the study that triclosan is readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. He cautioned that the safety of triclosan and related compounds should be reconsidered given their potential for intestinal damage.
The study, which was done in rats, concluded that microbial enzymes induce colitis by reactivating triclosan in the gastrointestinal tract.
,