MINERBI LAB
THE FIBROMYALGIA-MICROBIOME PROJECT
Our Current Focus
The effects of dietary intake on symptoms of fibromyalgia
In these studies, done in collaboration with Dr. Stéphanie Chevalier from McGill University we found that the differences in gut microbiome are not driven by specific dietary intake.
We are further studying whether specific dietary intake may help control symptoms by affecting the gut bacteria.
Changes in bile-acid-producing bacteria in fibromyalgia
In this follow-up study, we found that specific bile-acid metabolizing bacteria are decreased in individuals with fibromyalgia. Measuring the concentrations of bacterial-derived (secondary) bile acids in the blood of patients showed marked depletion which was correlated with symptom severity.
Gut microbiome Is altered in fibromyalgia
This study provided the first evidence for alterations in the composition of specific bacterial species in humans with fibromyalgia. The study was done in collaboration with Prof. Yoram Shir, Prof. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles, Dr. Emmanuel Gonzalez, Dr. Nicholas Brereton and Dr. Stephanie Chevalier.
A causal role for gut bacteria in fibromyalgia
In this study, transplanting gut bacteria from women with fibromyalgia led to the development of pain in germ-free mice. Pain resolved when mice were transplanted with gut bacteria from healthy donors.
This study was done at Dr. Arkady Khoutorsky's lab in collaboration with Dr. Weihua Cai, Prof. Yoram Shir and Dr. Emmanuel Gonzalez.
Transplantation of healthy microbiota improves pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia
In a small pilot study, we tested the feasibility of transplanting fecal microbiome from healthy donors to 15 women with severe resistant fibromyalgia. Within days following the transplantation, 11 of 15 women reported clinically significant improvement in their pain, fatigue, sleep and concentration.
The study was done in collaboration with Dr., Milena Pitashny and Dr. Haggai Bar-Yoseph from the Rambam Clinical and Research Microbiome Center.