40% of Hong Kong People Show Gut Dysbiosis Comparable to that of COVID-19 Patients CUHK Microbiome Immunity Formula Hastens Recovery of COVID-19 Patients and Offers Hope to Boost Immunity
A recent CU Medicine study reveals that 40% of Hong Kong people appeared to have significant gut dysbiosis comparable to that of COVID-19 patients, suggesting they have potentially impaired immunity. The Faculty has developed a microbiome immunity formula that targets gut dysbiosis. Clinical evidence showed COVID-19 patients who received the formula recovered better than those had only standard care. Data also suggests the formula can restore the balance of gut microbiota and boosts immunity.
From left: Dr. Joyce MAK, Assistant Professor of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics; Professor Siew NG, Associate Director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research; and Professor Francis CHAN, Dean of Medicine and Director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research; CUHK.
Gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating immunity against infections. People who suffer from imbalance in gut microbiota (dysbiosis) are more susceptible to viral infection and other complications. An earlier study by the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CU Medicine) has highlighted that severe gut dysbiosis exists in COVID-19 patients.
A recent study by CU Medicine revealed a worrying fact that 40% of Hong Kong people appeared to have significant gut dysbiosis comparable to that of COVID-19 patients, suggesting they have potentially impaired immunity. CU Medicine has developed a microbiome immunity formula that targets gut dysbiosis. Compared with patients who had standard care, our research team found that more COVID-19 patients who received the microbiome immunity formula achieved complete symptom resolution, showed significantly reduced proinflammatory markers in their blood, had increased favourable bacteria in their stool; and developed neutralising antibody. Data also suggested that the formula can restore the balance of gut microbiota and boosts immunity.
40% of people in HK have moderate to severe gut dysbiosis related to impaired immunity
To evaluate the extent of dysbiosis in the general population, CU Medicine studied 1,000 subjects in Hong Kong aged between 18 and 83, and found that almost 40% of them had significant dysbiosis (i.e., impaired immunity) comparable to that of COVID-19 patients.
Professor Francis KL CHAN, Dean of Medicine and Director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research at CUHK remarked, “Gut dysbiosis is an important marker of impaired immunity. Our study findings showed 40% of Hong Kong people had evidence of significant dysbiosis comparable to that of COVID-19 patients which is alarming to us. We should take immediate action to restore the balance in gut microbiota and hence to help the public boost immunity against the threats of emerging infections such as COVID-19.”
CUHK’s microbiome immunity formula enhances recovery of COVID-19 patients
Dr Joyce Mak states that clinical studies have shown severe COVID-19 patients have achieved symptoms resolution, such as no more coughing, after taking the microbiome immunity formula developed by CU Medicine.
- 100% of patients treated with the microbiome immunity formula achieved complete resolution of symptoms compared with half in the control group by week 2.
- 88% of patients in the microbiome immunity formula group developed neutralizing antibody compared with 63% in the control group.
- The blood level of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly reduced in the microbiome immunity formula group, indicating that inflammation was under control.
- The levels of favourable bacteria recovered from stool in patients receiving the microbiome immunity formula was significantly increased, suggesting that the formula could restore gut dysbiosis.
“This study demonstrated that the microbiome immunity formula is effective in replenishing a series of good bacteria missing in the gut of COVID-19 patients. Restoration of gut dysbiosis could hasten symptom resolution, enhances host immunity and increases neutralising antibody. These data support the use of microbiome therapy as a potential strategy to restore gut dysbiosis to fight against COVID-19,” Professor Siew Chien NG, Associate Director of the Centre for Gut Microbiota Research at CUHK, explained.
