Liverpool University study sheds light on Crohn's treatment

Boffins from the University of Liverpool have found that fibres found in plantain - a fruit similar to the banana - could be used to treat patients with Crohn’s disease.

The discovery could be a major step towards helping the one in every 800 people in the UK who suffer from the disease.

Crohn's causes suffers to have chronic intestinal inflammation, leading to pain, bleeding and diarrhoea.

The team, working with biotechnology company, Provexis, investigated whether dietary agents could influence E.coli entering the lining of the gut.

Scientists found that soluble fibres found in plantain prevented the uptake and transport of E.coli across protective M-cells in the gut.

University of Liverpool Professor, Jon Rhodes, member of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), said: “Crohn’s disease affects people from all over the world, but it is much more prevalent in developed countries, where a diet of low fibre and processed foods is common.

"There has been a rapid increase in incidence of the disease in Japan, for example, which now has more of a western processed food diet."

Researchers are now hoping to test a new food containing the beneficial fibres.

Peter Laing, Head of Research and Development, Provexis, said: “In partnership with the BRC, we are hopeful that this new medical food, containing soluble plantain fibres, could help halt the progression of the disease and prevent it from returning.”

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