Healing With The Use Of Intestinal Worms

Intestinal infections caused by intestinal worms may contribute to healing according to a new study which was published online in Nature Medicine. Researchers have found cytokines which help oust intestinal infections caused by worms which in mice test subjects that may help reduce lung infections, injury and inflammation.

This study is based on the ability of some intestinal worms to take an alternate route to the lungs. Worms such as the Nippostrongylus brasiliensis is found in rodents which is comparable to the human hookworms. Hookworm infections currently affect over 700 million people all over the world.

As this type of worm passes through the lungs, it causes tissue damage and inflammation. The body responds to this through creating an immune response called the Th2 response which causes expulsion of the worms. Along with the action of the Th2 response in removing intestinal worms, it also induces a response from specific cell populations and immune system proteins to help repair the damage caused by the worms to the lung tissue.

This wound healing triggered by the Th2 response activates multiple levels of wound healing and inflammation control creating an enhanced wound healing response in the body. In this study among mice test subjects, there were several mice that were unable to respond to the Th2 response had lung damage that was unchecked.

This study therefore proves that promoting Th2 responses which are triggered by parasites can be beneficial in the treatment of wounds. It is also highly beneficial in the treatment of acute lung injury which is caused by infections in the lung tissue like pneumonia and bronchitis. Although the mere thought of having intestinal worms may be a bit creepy, the possibility of treating injuries in the lung tissue as well as creating a healthy wound healing response could be a refreshing thought.

Related reviews