A new study claims that a high body temperature contributes to increased resistance to pathogenic viral infections. Researchers in Japan have identified a crucial link between higher body temperatures and increased resistance against viral infections.
The University of Tokyo team found that older people, who typically have lower average body temperatures, are more susceptible to viral infections.
The study highlights the crucial role that the gut microbiota plays in fortifying the body against viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 when the body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius. In the experiments, the researchers exposed mice to different temperatures before infecting them with the influenza virus.
Dr. Takeshi Ichinohe, from the Division of Viral Infections at the University of Tokyo, said that “mice exposed to high temperatures increased their body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius, which allowed them to produce more bile acids in a gut microbiota-dependent manner.” Mice with higher body temperatures due to heat exposure showed significant resistance to the virus, unlike mice exposed to colder temperatures, which fared badly.
The researchers advanced the theory that a component of the gut microbiome, deoxycholic acid (DCA), in association with its G protein-coupled membrane receptor, Takeda receptor 5 (TGR5), played a crucial role in building resistance to influenza. This resistance helped reduce virus replication and prevent tissue damage.
Interestingly, the infected mice exhibited group behavior, huddling together for warmth, and this phenomenon persisted even when the influenza virus was replaced by SARS-CoV-2.
The results were also validated in Syrian hamsters, indicating that high body temperatures can indeed improve resistance to these viral infections. Research has also highlighted the role of certain bile acids in the immune response against these viruses.
Dr. Ichinohe noted that “DCA and its nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist protect Syrian hamsters against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infection.” Moreover, the study identified reductions of certain bile acids in the plasma of patients with moderate Covid-19 compared to those with mild forms of the disease.
The research suggests that higher body temperatures activate the gut microbiota, generating an increased level of bile acids, which in turn reduce viral replication and inflammatory responses associated with influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
The Japanese team’s study was recently published in the journal Nature Communications.
Source: 360medical.ro
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2023-09-22 20:53:38
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