In a new study, researchers have found that a type of fat called triglyceride may help protect against infection by the bacterium Escherichia coli.
Triglyceride is a type of lipid, or fat, that is found in the blood. It is normally used by the body for energy. However, when the body is under stress, triglyceride can be used to make inflammation-fighting molecules called cytokines.
The new study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, suggests that triglyceride may help the body fight off E. coli infection by providing a source of fuel for cytokine production.
Previous studies have shown that E. coli infection can lead to a condition called fatty liver, in which triglyceride levels in the liver are increased. The new study suggests that this increase in triglyceride may be linked to improved survival in E. coli infection.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers infected mice with E. coli. They found that the mice with higher levels of triglyceride in their liver were more likely to survive the infection than the mice with lower levels of triglyceride.
The researchers believe that triglyceride may help the body to mount an effective response to E. coli infection by providing a source of fuel for the production of cytokines. This study provides the first evidence that triglyceride may play a role in the survival of E. coli infection.
The findings of this study may have implications for the treatment of E. coli infection in humans. Currently, there is no effective treatment for E. coli infection. The findings of this study suggest that triglyceride may help to improve the survival of patients with E. coli infection. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in humans.
According to a new study, fatty liver may be linked to survival in E. coli infection.
Scientists have found that a type of fat called triglycerides can help protect against a potentially deadly form of Escherichia coli.
The findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, could lead to new treatments for the infection, which is a major cause of food poisoning.
E. coli is a bacterium that lives in the gut of animals and humans. Most strains are harmless, but some can cause serious illness.
The new study found that a strain of E. coli that causes food poisoning, known as O157, is more likely to kill mice that lack a specific type of triglyceride.
When the scientists infected mice with the bacterium, they found that those without the triglyceride had higher levels of inflammation and died more quickly than those with the lipid.
The findings suggest that the triglyceride may help to protect against the deadly effects of the bacterium.
The study’s authors say that further research is needed to understand how the triglyceride works, but it could lead to the development of new treatments for E. coli infection.