Russian scientists have developed a number of drugs that can positively affect the state of the gut microbiome. One of these drugs has already demonstrated its effectiveness in clinical trials in the treatment of depression associated with obesity. This was announced by Valery Danilenko, Head of the Department of Genetic Foundations of Biotechnology and the Laboratory of Microbial Genetics at the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Our institute has created a drug from the so-called pharmabiotics for the treatment of non-specific ulcerative colitis in humans. Our drug is a combination of lacto- and bifidobacteria with the necessary activity. For various reasons, it has not yet been possible to bring it to clinical trials, but this is one of our tasks.
The Institute of General Genetics has a collection of bacteria that were isolated from the gut microbiota of people with good health. According to experts, this biological bank is constantly being replenished, and it is used to search for strains of bacteria with the necessary physiological properties.
Based on the strains we have, scientists have created several promising drugs. Among them is a drug developed jointly with the Federal Research Center for Nutrition and Biotechnology. It is intended for the treatment of depression associated with obesity. After pilot clinical trials, the drug demonstrated its effectiveness.
The second drug that we developed together with the Scientific Center of Neurology works for Parkinson's disease.
The drug is in the final stage of preclinical trials and, according to experts, demonstrates promising results. It is likely that clinical trials can begin as early as the end of next year.
The human gut microbiome is the totality of all microorganisms that inhabit its digestive system. This community of microorganisms is actively being studied because it has a complex structure and is closely related to the human body.
The gut microbiota is increasingly being considered as a separate organ, as it has a significant impact on human physiology and health. New hypotheses are emerging about the role of the gut microbiota in the development of various diseases, including mental ones. And with each year, these hypotheses are finding more and more confirmation.
Earlier in Russia, two unique medical drugs were created, which could become important tools in the fight against rare and serious diseases. We are talking about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and ankylosing spondylitis, also known as Bekhterev's disease.
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