"The core symptoms of autism are social behavior disorder and narrow interest, and many patients are often accompanied by intestinal symptoms." According to Liu Xingyin, studies at home and abroad show that at least13 of autistic children in this group will have intestinal problems, such as constipation, abdominal distension and diarrhea. If the physical problems of children's intestines are solved at the same time of rehabilitation training, the related symptoms of autism will be greatly improved.
20 15- 10 Liu Xingyin set up his own laboratory after returning from Einstein Medical College in the United States, focusing on the genetic factors, immune factors and intestinal-microbial-brain axis of intestinal flora of autism.
After more than three years of hard research, her team used Drosophila as a model to reveal how the genetic mutation of the host itself interacts with the internal environmental factors represented by intestinal microorganisms, leading to autism-like phenotypes such as social defects. This research achievement was published in the top journal of microbiology on April 20 19. Microorganisms (hosts and microorganisms), the patents of their related achievements have been authorized in June this year.
"That is to say, in some autism models caused by genetic factors, there is a positive feedback mechanism of interaction between intestinal microbial community and host immune system, and the imbalance of one of them will lead to the deterioration of the whole system, which will eventually lead to the imbalance of metabolic pathways related to neurotransmitters, causing symptoms represented by social barriers." Liu Xingyin's research also found that supplementing L 168 isolated from Lactobacillus plantarum can change the deteriorated intestinal microecology, regulate the concentration of neurotransmitter serotonin, and further improve the behavior of social disorder Drosophila melanogaster. Recently, after verifying the safety of the strain, they found that the strain can also partially improve the social behavior disorder of autistic mice activated by maternal immunity.
"At present, more and more studies have found that intestinal microorganisms are related to the occurrence and development of many diseases, and microecology research has become one of the most promising disciplines." Sun Hanwu, chairman of Sass Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. said that the strain L 168 has been identified by the national authority, and Sass Biotechnology will cooperate with Professor Liu Xingyin in scientific research to develop other functions and applications of this lactic acid bacteria. "I hope that after the completion of clinical trials, products will be launched as soon as possible to form industrial transformation and better benefit families and autistic patients."
The company also plans to use the big data of flora to design the combination of this strain and probiotics licensed by other countries. "In the short term, it is to make ordinary food that helps improve the symptoms of autism. The medium-term goal is to make functional foods that meet the national health care standards and are used in the field of autism. The long-term goal is to develop microbial drugs for different subtypes, help treat autism, and let biotechnology better create a better life for mankind. " He said.
Intern Zhao Jing