Gene-engineered gut bacteria successfully treat sick mice — and could treat humans someday

In the study, one group of hypertensive mice got bacteria carrying the protein, another group got just the bacteria, and a third group received no treatment at all. After four weeks of twice-a-day treatment, the researchers found that mice getting the tweaked probiotic had reduced blood pressure, reduced heart wall thickness, and better heart contraction than either the untreated group or the group that received only bacteria. Researchers presented their results, which haven’t yet been peer-reviewed, earlier this month at the American Heart Association Council on Hypertension meeting.Probiotics have some important advantages over medications traditionally used to treat pulmonary hypertension — a type of high blood pressure affecting the lungs and heart — said lead researcher Mohan Raizada, professor of physiology at the University of Florida.