Scientists have probably found out why some children develop intestinal pathology – News

American scientists found out the probable causes of congenital malrotation of the intestine. This can be influenced by genetics or chemicals used in the environment.

As reported in Science Alert, this pathology occurs in one in 500 newborns. It can lead to intestinal obstruction, which often requires surgical intervention.

Normally, the intestine of the fetus during intrauterine development should wrap around the mesentery (vascular fold). After that, it takes its final place in the abdominal cavity. This usually happens in the first trimester of pregnancy.

During the development of the digestive system, the abdominal cavity of vertebrates significantly lengthens. In order for the organs to fit, the intestine turns and becomes like a coil. Instead, if it does not return properly, then intestinal malrotation occurs.

The results of the study, published in the scientific journal Development, indicate that the occurrence of congenital malrotation of the intestine can be affected by atrazine (a chemical used against weeds). Scientists have found that it increases the frequency of incorrect intestinal rotation in frogs (they have this organ similar to the human one).

“Frogs and humans share a common ancestor, so they share many similar anatomical features, including a counterclockwise-rotating intestine“, Nascone-Yoder noted.

Atrazine is one of the most common substances used in agriculture. It is still used in the USA, Australia and Canada, and in the European Union it has been banned since 2004 due to fears of groundwater pollution. In addition, it is associated with health problems in humans and rats.

During the experiment, the researchers found that atrazine caused a metabolic imbalance in the frog embryos: it interfered with the correct division of cells, as well as their growth and remodeling. It became more difficult for the tissues to stretch, which led to a shortening of the abdominal cavity.

“The reduction in length causes the important loop of the intestine to fail to reach its normal anatomical position, causing it to roll backwards“, – write the authors of the study.

According to the team, these problems arise because atrazine throws redox reactions in the body out of balance. An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the cell can play a role in the development of diseases.

Treating the frogs with antioxidants before they were exposed to atrazine prevented their guts from twisting incorrectly.

It is important to note that the frog embryos were exposed to atrazine that was 1,000 times the level normally found in the environment.

These results do not prove that atrazine itself causes malrotation in humans, but they do suggest that it definitely affects metabolism in cells.

We have previously told you that viruses that live in the gut can help manage stress.