Leaky gut -- new pathway found, novel drug in development

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Stronger Intestinal Barrier May Prevent Cancer in the Rest of the Body, New

Study Suggestshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120221212345.htm

"It appears that the hormone receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) -- a previously

identified tumor suppressor that exists in the intestinal tract -- plays a key

role in strengthening the body's intestinal barrier, which helps separate the

gut world from the rest of the body, and possibly keeps cancer at bay. Without

the receptor, that barrier weakens.

....

....silencing GC-C in mice compromised the integrity of the intestinal barrier.

It allowed inflammation to occur and cancer-causing agents to seep out into the

body, damaging DNA and forming cancer outside the intestine, including in the

liver, lung and lymph nodes.

Conversely, stimulating GC-C in intestines in mice strengthened the intestinal

barrier opposing these pathological changes.

....

A new drug containing GC-C is now on the verge of hitting the market, but its

intended prescribed purpose is to treat constipation.

This study helps lays the groundwork, Dr. Waldman said, for future pre-clinical

and clinical studies investigating GC-C's abilities beyond those treatments in

humans, including prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and

cancer.

....

"Now, if you want to prevent inflammation or cancer in humans, then we need to

start thinking about feeding people hormones that activate GC-C to tighten up

the barrier."

Journal References:

1.Jieru Egeria Lin, Adam Eugene Snook, Peng Li, Arthur Stoecker, Gilbert

Won Kim, Sullivan Magee, Vladimir Mejia ,

Valentino, Terry Hyslop, Schulz, Arthur Waldman. GUCY2C Opposes

Systemic Genotoxic Tumorigenesis by Regulating AKT-Dependent Intestinal Barrier

Integrity. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (2): e31686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031686

2. A. Valentino, Jieru E. Lin, Adam E. Snook, Peng Li, Gilbert W. Kim,

Glen Marszalowicz, S. Magee, Terry Hyslop, Schulz, A.

Waldman. A uroguanylin-GUCY2C endocrine axis regulates feeding in mice. Journal

of Clinical Investigation, 2011; 121 (9): 3578 DOI: 10.1172/JCI57925