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   Alcoholism linked to lack of intestinal bacteria   
   October 20, 2014 - 06:23   
      
      
   New study suggests connection between the gut flora and addiction to alcohol.   
   Keywords: Alcohol, alcohol consumption, alcoholism, Gut bacteria, intestines   
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   By: Anne Ringgaard   
      
   It could be that some alcoholics have a particularly hard time quitting the   
   alcohol because they have fewer intestinal bacteria than other people. (Photo:   
   Shutterstock)   
   A new study suggests that bacteria in the gut may play a role in alcohol   
   addiction and the risk of relapse after rehab.   
      
   "Our results provides strong evidence that alcohol addiction is not only in   
   the brain, but that it in some cases can be associated with an imbalance in   
   the intestinal flora," said Professor Fredrik Bäckhed from the University of   
   Gothenburg during a guest    
   lecture at Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research at   
   Copenhagen University.   
      
   Some alcoholics have fewer intestinal bacteria   
   In the study, which was recently published in the journal PNAS, Bäckhed and   
   his colleagues from Belgium and Sweden have analysed the intestinal bacteria   
   composition of 60 alcoholics.   
   The 60 alcoholics in the study had an equal use of alcohol.    
      
   After the test participants had spent 19 days in rehab it became apparent to   
   the scientists that there was a big difference in how well the participants   
   recovered: their well-being and risk of relapse was connected to their gut   
   flora.   
      
   26 out of the 60 alcoholics suffered from leaky gut syndrome and generally had   
   a low amount of intestinal bacteria -- specially their levels of   
   Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, which is known for its anti-inflammatory   
   properties, were detected as unusually    
   low. The leaky gut syndrome is linked to inflammation of the gut and diseases   
   like Crohn disease.   
      
   After 19 days without alcohol the 26 test subjects still scored high on tests   
   that measuered depression, anxiety, and alcohol cravings. There was in fact   
   not much difference from before they went to rehab.   
      
   In comparison, the remaining 34 subjects with normal gut flora were recovering   
   much better, scoring low on depression, anxiety, and alcohol cravings. In   
   fact, their scores decreased to levels comparable with the control group who   
   didn't have a drinking    
   problem.    
      
   On the basis of these results the scientists concluded that intestinal flora   
   is connected to the likelihood of relapse after sobering up in rehab.   
      
   Bäckhed hopes that the study will lead to new treatment possibilities for   
   alcoholics where the intestinal flora is considered.   
      
   Our results strongly suggest that alcohol addiction is not only a problem   
   which starts in the brainProfessor Bäckhed   
   "It appears that some alcoholics may need a different treatment than others.   
   The study has an interesting treatment potential," he said.   
      
   Professor: The study does not prove a connection   
   Professor Ove Schaffalitzky, head of research at the department of   
   gastroenterology, University of Southern Denmark, is not entirely convinced   
   that the new study shows a link between intestinal bacterial flora and alcohol   
   addiction. He was not involved    
   in the study, but has read it.   
      
   "The study does indeed show a correlation, however, this doesn't necessarily   
   prove anything," said Schaffalitzky.   
      
   Even though there is some overlap it does not prove that there is a connection   
   between intestinal flora and increased alcohol addiction, he says.   
      
   "There can be other explanatory factors which the study does not account for.   
   It may be that the test subjects have a special drinking pattern or diet, have   
   other illnesses, have a special gut or something else. There are many   
   uncertain points in the    
   hypothesis," said Schaffalitzky.   
      
   The brain-gut connection is still not clear   
   Although Bäckhed is certain that there is a link between the bacteria in the   
   gut and alcohol addiction, he also stresses that there is a need for more   
   studies, before we can understand the exact relation.   
      
   "It's the first time we have shown that there is a correlation between alcohol   
   craving and bacterial gut composition. Previously studies with mice have   
   produced similar results," said Bäckhed. "However, we still don't know how the   
   connection between the    
   gut and the brain works."   
      
   -------------   
      
   Read the original story in Danish on Videnskab.dk   
      
   Country Denmark   
   Translated by Louisa Field   
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   http://sciencenordic.com/alcoholism-linked-lack-intestinal-bacteria   
      
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