Latest news with #IL-22
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hidden obesity is real: How one cookie a day can sabotage your gut health
That innocent-looking cookie, small pack of fries, or occasional cheeseburger might feel like a harmless indulgence—especially if you're otherwise eating healthy or don't struggle with your weight. But new research suggests these tiny treats could be doing silent, long-term damage to your gut—even in small doses. A recent Australian study published in the journal Immunity (May 2025) has found that just two days of eating a high-fat diet, mainly one rich in saturated fats, can disrupt gut defences and increase inflammation throughout the body. These are the same types of fats found in everyday favourites like muffins, deep-fried snacks, processed meats, and fast food. Silent inflammation starts with everyday fat The study, titled 'Acute exposure to high-fat diet impairs ILC3 functions and gut homeostasis', was led by Dr Cyril Seillet , a researcher from Monash University and The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Under this study, using mouse models, Dr Seillet and his team showed that a high-fat diet rapidly impairs the function of a specific group of immune cells known as ILC3s (group 3 innate lymphoid cells). These cells are vital for maintaining the gut's protective barrier, largely by producing a molecule called interleukin-22 (IL-22). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo IL-22 helps the gut produce antimicrobial peptides, mucus, and tight junction proteins that keep harmful bacteria and toxins from leaking into the bloodstream. When ILC3s can't produce enough IL-22, the gut lining becomes more permeable—a condition often described as 'leaky gut.' This allows inflammatory substances to seep into circulation, silently fueling long-term inflammation and increasing the risk of chronic disease. 'The more saturated fats we eat, the more inflammation that builds up,' said Dr Seillet. 'But this inflammation remains silent for years and only shows up later as chronic conditions.' Not all fats are equal: How saturated vs unsaturated fats impact your gut The study revealed that not all fats affect the gut the same way. Mice fed with saturated fats like palmitic acid, found in butter, fatty meats, and palm oil, experienced reduced IL-22 production and gut barrier breakdown. In contrast, those consuming unsaturated fats like oleic acid, which is found in olive oil and avocados, maintained healthier gut function. Saturated fats were found to trigger harmful fat oxidation pathways in immune cells, while unsaturated fats formed protective lipid droplets that preserved immune function. The effects were so immediate that even after just 48 hours, mice on a high-fat diet showed gut inflammation and immune suppression. By day seven, the changes became even more pronounced. Fatty foods damage gut bacteria, but your gut can heal The study also looked at the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria living in the intestines. Just one week of a high-fat diet caused dramatic shifts: beneficial bacteria declined, and harmful species flourished. Some of these bad actors, like Enterococcus gallinarum, are known to erode the gut lining and promote inflammation. To test how these dietary changes might affect disease recovery, researchers induced colitis in mice fed different diets. Those on high saturated-fat diets fared worse—losing more weight and showing greater gut damage—than mice fed unsaturated fats or regular food. What's encouraging is that these negative effects can be reversed. When mice returned to a standard, lower-fat diet, their gut function began improving within two days, and most immune functions returned to normal within a week. This suggests that the body can bounce back—if we catch the damage early and adjust our eating habits. Your gut remembers: How fatty foods leave a lasting impact Although the study was conducted in mice, similar effects were observed in cultured human immune cells, giving weight to the findings. This research may help explain why people experience digestive discomfort after periods of poor eating—like during holidays or fast-food binges. It also reinforces why obesity is now understood as a state of chronic, silent inflammation, often triggered and worsened by gut dysfunction. Experts say these findings could also be linked to rising rates of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), autoimmune conditions, and metabolic disorders like diabetes and fatty liver disease—all of which have roots in gut health and inflammation. 'Even an occasional indulgence in high-fat foods can disrupt your gut if it's not balanced out with healthier choices,' said Dr Rakesh Kochhar , former head of gastroenterology at PGI Chandigarh, in response to the study. 'The key lies in using unsaturated fats and limiting ultra-processed snacks and fried foods.' You don't need to completely avoid fats; your body needs them. But the type of fat, how often you consume it, and what you pair it with matter greatly. The occasional cookie might seem harmless, but when such indulgences become regular, they quietly add up in ways that affect your gut, immune system, and overall health. In short, hidden obesity and inflammation can begin where you least expect it, in the snacks you don't think twice about. Your body can recover quickly with the right diet and lifestyle choices. That's a reason to rethink your next "harmless" bite. Also Read: Why asthma gets worse in monsoon and what you can do about It
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Cheat meals taste so good — new evidence suggests they are so bad for your body
So much for weekends of caloric abandon. New research confirms that just two days of eating a high-fat diet can compromise critical immune cells in the gut and weaken the intestinal barrier, suggesting the impact of our daily dietary choices is more immediate than previously believed. 3 Consuming a high-fat diet led to the rapid suppression of specialized immune cells in lab mice. Home-stock – Advertisement Published this month in the journal Immunity, the research followed mice fed a regular diet, a high-fat diet and specialized diets enriched with saturated and unsaturated fats. The high-fat diet led to the rapid suppression of specialized immune cells called ILC3s, which produce a protective substance called interleukin-22 (IL-22). This suppression is disastrous for the digestive system. Within the gut, IL-22 typically shields the intestinal barrier by generating protective elements that prevent bacteria, toxins, undigested food particles and inflammatory pathogens from breaching the bloodstream. Advertisement When a high-fat diet limits the production of IL-22, that intestinal barrier becomes more permeable, a condition known, inelegantly, as 'leaky gut.' While not a formal diagnosis, leaky gut is known to cause bloating, constipation, indigestion, acid reflux and potentially intestinal pain. What's worse, when toxins leak beyond the gut, they trigger widespread inflammation, leading to issues like skin problems, brain fog, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular stress and even fertility challenges. Advertisement 'The more saturated fats we eat, the more inflammation that builds up,' said study author Cyril Seillet from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia. 'This inflammation build-up is initially silent, remaining hidden in our bodies until years later, where it can present as chronic inflammation.' Seillet and his team discovered that different fats have wildly different effects on overall gut health. They found that unsaturated fatty acids, found in olive oil and avocados, helped support normal IL-22 production and gut barrier function. 3 The study authors discovered that different fats have wildly different effects on overall gut health. Cell Press Advertisement In contrast, saturated fatty acids, present in palm oil, butter and fatty animal meat, deliver a one-two punch by seriously hindering immune cell function and increasing intestinal inflammation. After just two days on high-fat diets, researchers observed that certain subtypes of ILC3 immune cells already exhibited reduced IL-22 production. A week into the high-fat diet, all ILC3 subtypes were compromised. Further, within a week on the high-fat diet, the gut microbiome had rapidly shifted, exhibiting a decline in beneficial bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids and a proliferation of harmful bacteria. Using specialized equipment, the research team discerned that one week on a high-fat diet correlated to 'leakier' mice intestines, a permeability that allowed more potentially dangerous substances to pass through. There is a bit of silver (intestinal) lining to be found in this latest batch of research — the gut-compromising consequences of a high-fat diet aren't permanent. The research team found that after resuming a regular diet, gut function improved after just two days and returned to normal after seven days. This quick correction suggests dietary interventions could rapidly restore gut health. 3 Blessedly, researchers found that the gut-compromising consequences of a high-fat diet aren't permanent. littlepigpower – Advertisement In addition, researchers found that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are processed in entirely different ways. Saturated fats are processed through a pathway called fatty acid oxidation, which impairs immune function, while unsaturated fats like oleic acid form protective lipid droplets in the cells, helping to maintain proper immune responses. To demonstrate how the processing of these fats influences intestinal inflammation, the research team induced colitis in the mice. The mice fed saturated fats showed greater tissue damage than those that ate unsaturated fats or adhered to a regular diet. Advertisement Results were similar when the team exposed isolated human immune cells to different fatty acids. Essentially, unsaturated fats support immune function while saturated fats suppress IL-22 production. Researchers believe these rapid and profound changes in gut health could explain why people experience digestive discomfort when they veer from their regular diets during the holidays or on vacation. Conversely, these results serve to explain why diets rich in olive oil and unsaturated fats, such as the lauded Mediterranean diet, are associated with lower levels of inflammation and improved gut health. Advertisement How important is gut health? Research reports that Parkinson's disease may begin in the gut. A 2022 study from New York's Clarkson University even found a possible link between a person's gut health and personality.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Cytoki Pharma Highlights Data Reinforcing Therapeutic Potential of Lipidated IL-22 for IBD in Digestive Diseases and Sciences Publication
Findings support lipidated IL-22 as a differentiated treatment option to address the significant unmet need in IBD Results strongly support continued development of Cytoki's oral IL-22 program for UC which is part of its growing preclinical pipeline of IL-22-based assets SØBORG, Denmark, May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cytoki Pharma ApS (Cytoki), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new class of medicines that harness interleukin-22 (IL-22) biology to drive improved metabolic and other health outcomes, today announced the publication of preclinical data demonstrating the efficacy of its novel lipidated IL-22 analogue in a model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Digestive Diseases and Sciences. The publication, titled 'Lipidated IL-22 Alone or Combined with Immunomodulatory Agents Improves Disease Endpoints and Promotes Mucosal Healing in a Mouse Model of Chronic Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis,' includes findings demonstrating the therapeutic potential of a novel lipidated IL-22 analogue in a widely used preclinical IBD model. Findings indicated lipidated IL-22's ability to significantly improve all aspects of chronic colitis, with a clear dose-dependent response in reducing clinical, endoscopic, and histological signs of the disease. Preclinical results also highlighted lipidated IL-22's ability to directly induce mucosal healing and reduce inflammation, further demonstrating IL-22's unique ability when compared to existing IBD treatments. Notably, the combination of lipidated IL-22 with immunomodulatory agents resulted in additive therapeutic benefits, signaling potential for even greater improvements when used in combination. The translatability of these findings is supported by human data demonstrating increased expression of genes associated with epithelial repair and host defense in colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis after IL-22 administration. Together, these results suggest a promising new therapeutic strategy for managing IBD and increasing long-term remission rates. 'These compelling findings underscore the significant potential of IL-22's powerful biology to fuel novel therapeutics capable of addressing IBD via a differentiated mode of action,' said Martijn van de Bunt, M.D., CSO at Cytoki and publication co-author. 'Given IL-22's unique potential to overcome the current therapeutic ceiling in IBD management, we are excited about the preclinical oral IL-22 program we are pursuing alongside our metabolic disease-focused clinical and preclinical IL-22 pipeline.' Additional key takeaways from the paper are as follows: About Cytoki Pharma Cytoki Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new class of medicines that harness IL-22 biology to drive improved outcomes for cardiometabolic disease and inflammatory conditions. Cytoki's lead program, CK-0045, a lipidated IL-22 analogue, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 clinical study in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The company is also advancing a broader portfolio of preclinical IL-22-based assets. Cytoki was founded in 2019 and is led by a team of pharma industry veterans with deep expertise in the discovery and clinical development of novel drugs. Please visit or follow us on LinkedIn for additional details. Media Contact Lia Dangelico [email protected] +1 540-303-0180 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Cytoki Pharma
