A thorough chewing of food can strengthen the immune system in the mouth to protect the body from disease, a study by American scientists. Chewing food can stimulate the appearance of a special type of immune system cells - Th17 cells located in the mouth. Such activation, in turn, provides the body with more reliable protection against dangerous pathogens causing a variety of diseases, according to the Internet edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net In other parts of the body (in the intestine or on the skin) Th17-cells are stimulated by the present useful bacteria. Previously, scientists assumed that things are also in the mouth.

However, recently scientists from Manchester University found that during the chewing process, friction induces the release of the chemical interleukin-6 directly from the gum tissue. This increases the number of Th17 cells.

"The immune system maintains an amazing barrier compromise in places like the skin, mouth and intestines, fighting harmful pathogens, but remaining tolerant of the friendly bacteria present," says lead author Joanne Konkel,.

The study, she continues, shows that, unlike other barriers, the oral cavity has its own way of stimulating important Th17 cells: not by bacteria, but by chewing.

Experts have demonstrated that they can increase the number of Th17 cells in mice by simply changing the hardness of their food. This proved that it is the chewing factor that is decisive.

True, a high Th17 cell content is not always harmless. An excessive number of such cells can contribute to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that corrodes soft tissues and supporting the bone structure of the tooth. (To protect against it, they even recently created a vaccine. ) So Th17 cells have a "reverse" side.

Conquel and her colleagues also showed that active chewing can aggravate the loss of bone structure in periodontitis.

She added that since the inflammatory process in the oral cavity is associated with the development of diseases in other parts of the body, "understanding the tissue-specific factors is very important". The latter regulate the immunity in the oral barrier. All this, in her opinion, can lead to new ways of treating multiple inflammatory diseases.

The study is published in the journal Immunity.

aspekty. net.