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posted by on Sunday February 05 2017, @04:04AM   Printer-friendly
from the yummy-aspirin dept.

The regular consumption of salicylic acid, or its consumption in higher doses, could unexpectedly promote and prolong bacterial colonization, as shown by a joint study conducted by Monika Ehling-Schulz's group from the Institute of Microbiology, Vetmeduni Vienna, together with the research group of Fernanda Buzzola from the University of Buenos Aires. The research stays were in part funded by the Mobility Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Austria and Argentina.

Iron is an important trace element for the human body and plays an essential role in blood formation. The metabolism of many bacteria, including S. aureus, also depends on the availability of iron molecules. Salicylic acid forms complexes with iron ions in the blood and so deprives not only us but also the staphylococcal bacteria of this element. S. aureus modifies its metabolism if it obtains no or only insufficient iron. The microorganism reacts to the changed -- from its perspective, negative -- conditions through the intensified formation of a biofilm, a sort of layer of slime formed by the aggregation of individual bacteria, as Tom Grunert of the Institute for Microbiology at Vetmeduni Vienna explains. The accelerated biofilm production allows the bacteria to survive for an even longer period under unfavourable living conditions.

This increased biofilm formation is promoted by the regular or increased consumption of salicylic acid. As pain relief medication, this compound is usually not taken regularly. However, it also is a component of anti-acne preparations and certain exfoliate products, which are often used for a longer period of time. Since salicylic acid is found in fruits and vegetables, people who follow a mostly vegetarian diet might also affected. "These people consume a small dose of the substance virtually every day," says Grunert. The use of certain medications further increases the iron limitation. Taken orally, salicylic acid enters the blood circulation and forms there complexes with the iron ions.

-- submitted from IRC


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  • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 05 2017, @04:27AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 05 2017, @04:27AM (#463017)

    aspirin = acetylsalicylic acid!!!

    Starting Score:    0  points
    Moderation   +1  
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    Extra 'Informative' Modifier   0  

    Total Score:   1  
  • (Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday February 05 2017, @08:00PM

    by mcgrew (701) <publish@mcgrewbooks.com> on Sunday February 05 2017, @08:00PM (#463172) Homepage Journal

    I think whoever moderated that "informative" is at the wrong site, because WE ALREADY KNOW THAT.

    --
    mcgrewbooks.com mcgrew.info nooze.org
    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2017, @06:33AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 06 2017, @06:33AM (#463335)

      acetylsalicylic acid != salicylic acid

      mod me informative and I will mod you redundant