Cysteine Boosts Intestinal Stem Cell Regeneration, Aids Radiation Therapy Recovery
A groundbreaking study led by researchers from Kyung Hee University Medical Center and Joslin Diabetes Center has discovered that the amino acid cysteine can significantly boost intestinal stem cell regeneration. This finding, published in a recent issue of Nature, could pave the way for new strategies to aid tissue healing in patients undergoing radiation therapy.
The research team found that cysteine initiates a chain reaction leading to the activation of CD8 T cells, which then produce IL-22. This cytokine stimulates intestinal stem cells to regrow new tissue. Cysteine can also directly activate an immune signaling pathway to promote stem cell regrowth. This enhanced regeneration could help repair radiation damage to the intestinal lining, a common issue in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and the V Foundation among others, was conducted on mice. However, the researchers hope to explore whether cysteine could also aid the regeneration of other types of stem cells, such as those found in hair follicles. A cysteine-rich diet, found in high-protein foods like meat, dairy, legumes, and nuts, may have rejuvenating effects on the small intestine, according to the news today.
The new study is the first to identify a single nutrient, cysteine, that can help intestinal cells regenerate. If future research in humans mirrors these results, delivering elevated quantities of cysteine through diet or supplements could offer a novel strategy to accelerate tissue healing in patients with damaged intestinal linings.
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