How does the gut affect the lungs? Free health checks for volunteers in a Polish-Swiss research project
Gut microbiota have a marked effect on the health of the respiratory system, but scientists do not yet fully understand how. To find out, researchers are recruiting 400 volunteers. All they need to do is take a free set of tests (blood tests, spirometry and an analysis of their gut microbiota) worth about PLN 3,000.
The project is run by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB) and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Bellinzona (IRB). It aims to find features of the gut microbiome, and metabolites, that could be used to treat lung disease.
Why the gut?
"A growing body of research shows that the gut and the lungs are in constant contact through the immune system and through the chemical compounds, or metabolites, that microbes produce. But we still know little about which parts of the microbiota matter most for lung health. We want to identify these links and understand the biology behind them," says Dr Aleksandra Kołodziejczyk, head of the Laboratory of Cellular Genomics at IIMCB, who leads the project.
Lung health depends on the gut too
The study stands out for its broad approach to the so-called gut-lung axis. The researchers will combine data on gut microbiota, blood parameters and lung function to build a detailed picture of how the microbes living in the gut relate to respiratory health. This will help them identify biological factors that may protect the lungs or, conversely, make people more prone to disease. That, in turn, could lead to new ways of preventing and treating illness.
Thorough tests at no cost
Participants will receive free diagnostic tests. The package includes blood tests, spirometry (a non-invasive test of how well the lungs work) and one of its most valuable parts: a detailed analysis of gut microbiota, worth PLN 2,500.
Gut microbiota play a part in many of the body's processes, including digestion, metabolism and the workings of the immune system. Changes in their make-up may be linked to various diseases, but these links are complex and still the subject of intensive research. Analysing the microbiota helps scientists understand these processes better and may, in future, support a more personalised approach to prevention and healthcare.
Who can take part?
The study is open to people who:
- are aged 35 to 65;
- live in Warsaw (samples must reach the lab quickly);
- have not had pneumonia in the past six months;
- have not taken antibiotics in the past six months.
Further eligibility criteria are set out in the application form and will be checked during an interview with a doctor.
"We warmly invite you to take part. It is a chance not only to have your health checked for free, but also to make a real contribution to science. Together we can better understand how much our gut affects our lungs," says Dr Kołodziejczyk.
How to apply
Register at: https://zbadaj-sie.pl
Places are limited.