LL-37 Produced By the Body Found To Be Effective Against UTIs

According to a recent study conducted by the Swedish researchers at the Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm have found that human body has the ability to produce antibiotics against Urinary tract infections (UTI). But the previous studies said that the urine prevented the bacteria being accumulated in the tract. According to the statistics it was found that about 60 % of women suffered from UTI in their lifetime, and 20 % will have more than one attack of the UT infections. They found that the body produced an antibacterial peptide, called LL-37 which prevents urinary tract infections (UTIs).

The lead researcher Annelie Brauner said that the situation can become worse in case of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But she also said that there are very slim chances of the body developing resistance against its own antibiotics. This could be used in the drug industry as an alternative to the routine antibiotic medication. The study analyzed urine samples from both healthy children and those suffering from UTIs. They were screened for the levels of LL-37. It was surprising to find that very low levels of LL-37 were found in the urine of healthy children. On the other hand high levels were found in the urine samples of children suffering from UTIs. It was also proved that LL-37 was produced in the epithelial cells of the urinary tracts and the kidneys. The peptide was produced only if the body had prior exposure to the bacteria. The study results were published in the journal of Nature Medicine. In conclusion the author said that the study would prevent the development of urinary tract infection by enhancing the antibacterial peptide LL-37.