A 24-hour fast triggers a surprising repair response in the gut
Scientists have discovered that fasting for just 24 hours increases a beneficial gut bacterium that helps the intestines regenerate after radiation damage. The preclinical findings could pave the way for new treatments that protect healthy tissue during cancer therapy, potentially without requiring patients to fast.
A 24-hour fast may prepare the intestines to better recover from radiation damage, according to new research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The study found that a particular gut bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila, or AKK, plays a crucial role in this process. When the researchers fasted rats for 24 hours before exposing their intestines to radiation, they discovered that AKK levels increased in the small intestine.
AKK produces a substance called propionate, which helps prepare intestinal cells for injury by activating the body's natural tissue repair mechanisms. This preparedness allows the cells to expand and rebuild the damaged intestinal lining more efficiently after radiation exposure. Removing AKK from the gut prevented the protective benefits of fasting, indicating that the bacterium is essential for this process.
The study suggests that fasting, combined with AKK, alters the activity of intestinal cells before radiation exposure, making them more capable of regenerating following damage. While the findings are promising, further preclinical research is needed to determine if the same mechanism applies to humans and whether it can safely enhance treatment outcomes for cancer patients.
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