Mysteries of the mighty microbiota

Abstract

In this issue of the Biomedical Journal, we take a close look at the microbial metropolis of the gut and examine its impact on human health. We also highlight an interesting animal study showing that short-term treatment with antioxidants can protect tissues against the genotoxic effects of ionizing radiation. Such reports continue to fuel the hotly debated topic of the benefits of antioxidants. This issue also features several clinical studies examining the efficacy of current treatment regimens for primary breast lymphoma, Helicobacter pylori, and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• DNA damage
• microbiota
• mucosal immune system
• probiotics
• radiotherapy