Karen Pendergrass

Karen Pendergrass, Standards Team

About

Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease, four years before the first published case study.

Recent Posts

2025-03-18

Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo

What was reviewed? The review focused on the safety and medical applications of clinoptilolite, a naturally occurring zeolite, for in vivo use. The analysis encompassed the physical and chemical properties of clinoptilolite, its detoxifying capabilities, and its potential therapeutic effects in both human and veterinary medicine. The review also considered various studies on clinoptilolite’s role […]

2025-03-18

Correlation of fecal metabolomics and gut microbiota in mice with endometriosis

What was studied? The study investigated the interaction between fecal metabolomics and gut microbiota in mice with endometriosis (EMS), aiming to identify metabolic changes and microbiota diversity associated with the disease. Who was studied? Female C57BL/6J mice, utilized to construct an EMS model, were the subjects of this research, allowing for the examination of […]

2025-03-18

Copper in microbial pathogenesis: meddling with the metal

What was studied? The study investigated the role of copper in microbial pathogenesis. Specifically, it examined how copper serves as both a necessary nutrient for microbial organisms and a microbial weapon used by hosts against pathogens. The research explored copper’s dual roles, its involvement in various microbial resistance mechanisms, and its interaction with the host’s […]

2025-03-18

Comparison of Vaginal, Cervical and Gut Microbiota Between Women with Stage 3/4 Endometriosis and Healthy Controls

What was studied? The study focused on exploring the associations between the microbiota of the vaginal, cervical, and gut regions and stage 3–4 endometriosis in women. This research aimed to uncover potential differences in the microbiome composition between women diagnosed with advanced endometriosis and healthy controls, particularly at the genus level of microbial classification. […]

2025-03-18

Comparative Analysis of Taxonomic and Functional Gut Microbiota Profiles in Relation to Seroconversion of Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies in Euthyroid Participants.

What was studied? This study investigated the taxonomic and functional gut microbiota profiles of euthyroid individuals with and without thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), a marker for autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The goal was to assess whether gut microbiota composition differs in individuals with TPOAb before the clinical onset of autoimmune thyroid disease […]

2025-03-18

Coincidence of uterine malformations and endometriosis: a clinically relevant problem?

What was studied?The retrospective study explored the prevalence of endometriosis in patients with uterine malformations. It specifically investigated the relationship between different types of uterine malformations (obstructive, non-obstructive, and various classifications under the American Fertility Society (AFS)) and the incidence of endometriosis, which is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The […]

2025-03-18

Characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with asthenozoospermia: a Chinese pilot study

What was studied? The study investigated the characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with asthenozoospermia (AS), a common cause of male infertility characterized by reduced sperm motility. It aimed to identify differences in gut microbiota composition between AS patients and healthy controls and explore the potential links between gut microbiota and the development of AS. […]

2025-03-18

Causal effects of gut microbiota on scoliosis: A bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study.

What was studied?The study investigated the causal effects of gut microbiota on scoliosis using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Specifically, it aimed to determine whether variations in the composition of gut microbiome taxa could influence the risk of developing scoliosis. The study utilized genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs) from a large genome-wide […]

2025-03-18

Breast cancer in postmenopausal women is associated with an altered gut metagenome

The study revealed altered gut microbiota in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, with enriched inflammation-associated species and depleted butyrate producers. Functional gene changes suggest links to systemic inflammation and metabolic imbalance, providing insights into microbiota’s role in cancer progression.

2025-03-18

Associations Between Endometriosis and Gut Microbiota

What was studied? The study examined the gut microbiota in women with endometriosis compared to healthy controls. It aimed to explore differences based on disease localization, symptoms, or treatment and assess the gut microbiota’s potential role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Who was studied? 66 women diagnosed with endometriosis at Skåne University Hospital were […]

2025-03-18

Association of the Cervical Microbiota With Pregnancy Outcome in a Subfertile Population Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Case-Control Study

What Was Studied? The study focused on the association between the composition of cervical microbiota and pregnancy outcomes in a subfertile population undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Specifically, it aimed to characterize the cervical microbiota of patients undergoing embryo transfer (ET) and assess whether the composition of these microbiota is associated with the outcomes of […]

2025-03-18

Association between calcium-phosphorus balance and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A meta-analysis

What was studied? The study investigated the association between calcium-phosphorus balance and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) through a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cross-sectional studies. Who was studied? The meta-analysis included a total of 646 AIS cases and 791 controls, comprising adolescents from various countries, with a focus on sex and menstruation […]

2025-03-18

Assessment of Thyroid Function and Oxidative Stress State in Foundry Workers Exposed to Lead

What was studied? The study assessed thyroid function and oxidative stress in foundry workers occupationally exposed to lead (Pb) dust and fumes. It investigated the correlation between blood lead levels (BLL) and thyroid hormones, as well as markers of oxidative stress. Who was studied? The study involved 59 adult male foundry workers exposed to lead […]

2025-03-18

Antimicrobial, Probiotic, and Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabis sativa Extract and Delivery Systems

What was studied? The study investigated the antimicrobial, probiotic, and immunobiological effects of the Henola Cannabis sativae extract and its combinations with specific carriers: polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, magnesium aluminometasilicate, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin. The study demonstrated that Henola Cannabis sativae extract, particularly when combined with carriers like hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, exhibits strong antimicrobial activity against various […]

2025-03-18

Antibiotic therapy with metronidazole reduces endometriosis disease progression in mice: a potential role for gut microbiota

What was studied? The research investigated the impact of antibiotic treatment on the progression of endometriosis, specifically examining how altering the gut microbiota with antibiotics affects the development of endometriotic lesions in a mouse model. Who was studied? Mice subjected to surgically induced endometriosis were studied. These mice were treated with either broad-spectrum antibiotics […]

2025-03-18

Analyzing the impact of heavy metal exposure on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: an approach based on interpretable machine learning

What Was Studied? This study examined the impact of heavy metal exposure on the prevalence and differentiation of osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using interpretable machine learning models. Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2003–2020) to assess how various heavy metals contribute to arthritis risk. Who Was Studied? […]