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Kebede V, Ravizza T, Balosso S, Di Sapia R, Canali L, Soldi S, Galletti S, Papazlatani C, Karas PA, Vasileiadis S, Sforzini A, Pasetto L, Bonetto V, Vezzani A, Vesci L. Early treatment with rifaximin during epileptogenesis reverses gut alterations and reduces seizure duration in a mouse model of acquired epilepsy. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 119:363-380. [PMID: 38608741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is altered in epilepsy and is emerging as a potential target for new therapies. We studied the effects of rifaximin, a gastrointestinal tract-specific antibiotic, on seizures and neuropathology and on alterations in the gut and its microbiota in a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Epilepsy was induced by intra-amygdala kainate injection causing status epilepticus (SE) in C57Bl6 adult male mice. Sham mice were injected with vehicle. Two cohorts of SE mice were fed a rifaximin-supplemented diet for 21 days, starting either at 24 h post-SE (early disease stage) or at day 51 post-SE (chronic disease stage). Corresponding groups of SE mice (one each disease stage) were fed a standard (control) diet. Cortical ECoG recording was done at each disease stage (24/7) for 21 days in all SE mice to measure the number and duration of spontaneous seizures during either rifaximin treatment or control diet. Then, epileptic mice ± rifaximin and respective sham mice were sacrificed and brain, gut and feces collected. Biospecimens were used for: (i) quantitative histological analysis of the gut structural and cellular components; (ii) markers of gut inflammation and intestinal barrier integrity by RTqPCR; (iii) 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis in feces. Hippocampal neuronal cell loss was assessed in epileptic mice killed in the early disease phase. Rifaximin administered for 21 days post-SE (early disease stage) reduced seizure duration (p < 0.01) and prevented hilar mossy cells loss in the hippocampus compared to epileptic mice fed a control diet. Epileptic mice fed a control diet showed a reduction of both villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01) and a decreased number of goblet cells (p < 0.01) in the duodenum, as well as increased macrophage (Iba1)-immunostaining in the jejunum (p < 0.05), compared to respective sham mice. Rifaximin's effect on seizures was associated with a reversal of gut structural and cellular changes, except for goblet cells which remained reduced. Seizure duration in epileptic mice was negatively correlated with the number of mossy cells (p < 0.01) and with villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05). Rifaximin-treated epileptic mice also showed increased tight junctions (occludin and ZO-1, p < 0.01) and decreased TNF mRNA expression (p < 0.01) in the duodenum compared to epileptic mice fed a control diet. Rifaximin administered for 21 days in chronic epileptic mice (chronic disease stage) did not change the number or duration of seizures compared to epileptic mice fed a control diet. Chronic epileptic mice fed a control diet showed an increased crypt depth (p < 0.05) and reduced villus height/crypt depth ratio (p < 0.01) compared to respective sham mice. Rifaximin treatment did not affect these intestinal changes. At both disease stages, rifaximin modified α- and β-diversity in epileptic and sham mice compared to respective mice fed a control diet. The microbiota composition in epileptic mice, as well as the effects of rifaximin at the phylum, family and genus levels, depended on the stage of the disease. During the early disease phase, the abundance of specific taxa was positively correlated with seizure duration in epileptic mice. In conclusion, gut-related alterations reflecting a dysfunctional state, occur during epilepsy development in a TLE mouse model. A short-term treatment with rifaximin during the early phase of the disease, reduced seizure duration and neuropathology, and reversed some intestinal changes, strengthening the therapeutic effects of gut-based therapies in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Kebede
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Teresa Ravizza
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Balosso
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Sapia
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Canali
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Soldi
- AAT Advanced Analytical Technologies Srl, Fiorenzuola d'Arda (PC), Italy
| | - Serena Galletti
- AAT Advanced Analytical Technologies Srl, Fiorenzuola d'Arda (PC), Italy
| | - Christina Papazlatani
- Dept. Biochemistry and Biotechnology University of Thessaly Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Panagiotis A Karas
- Dept. Biochemistry and Biotechnology University of Thessaly Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | - Sotirios Vasileiadis
- Dept. Biochemistry and Biotechnology University of Thessaly Biopolis, Larissa, Greece
| | | | - Laura Pasetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Bonetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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Riva A, Sahin E, Volpedo G, Petretto A, Lavarello C, Di Sapia R, Barbarossa D, Zaniani NR, Craparotta I, Barbera MC, Sezerman U, Vezzani A, Striano P, Ravizza T. Identification of an epilepsy-linked gut microbiota signature in a pediatric rat model of acquired epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 194:106469. [PMID: 38485093 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
A dysfunctional gut microbiota-brain axis is emerging as a potential pathogenic mechanism in epilepsy, particularly in pediatric forms of epilepsy. To add new insights into gut-related changes in acquired epilepsy that develops early in life, we used a multi-omics approach in a rat model with a 56% incidence of epilepsy. The presence of spontaneous seizures was assessed in adult rats (n = 46) 5 months after status epilepticus induced by intra-amygdala kainate at postnatal day 13, by 2 weeks (24/7) ECoG monitoring. Twenty-six rats developed epilepsy (Epi) while the remaining 20 rats (No-Epi) did not show spontaneous seizures. At the end of ECoG monitoring, all rats and their sham controls (n = 20) were sacrificed for quantitative histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of the gut structure, glia and macrophages, as well as RTqPCR analysis of inflammation/oxidative stress markers. By comparing Epi, No-Epi rats, and sham controls, we found structural, cellular, and molecular alterations reflecting a dysfunctional gut, which were specifically associated with epilepsy. In particular, the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and number of Goblet cells were reduced in the duodenum of Epi rats vs both No-Epi rats and sham controls (p < 0.01). Villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.01) were increased in No-Epi vs both Epi and sham controls. We also detected enhanced Iba1-positive macrophages, together with increased IL1b and NFE2L2 transcripts and TNF protein, in the small intestine of Epi vs both No-Epi and sham control rats (p < 0.01), denoting the presence of inflammation and oxidative stress. Astroglial GFAP-immunostaining was similar in all experimental groups. Metagenomic analysis in the feces collected 5 months after status epilepticus showed that the ratio of two dominant phyla (Bacteroidota-to-Firmicutes) was similarly increased in Epi and No-Epi rats vs sham control rats. Notably, the relative abundance of families, genera, and species associated with SCFA production differed in Epi vs No-Epi rats, describing a bacterial imprint associated with epilepsy. Furthermore, Epi rats showed a blood metabolic signature characterized by changes in lipid metabolism compared to both No-Epi and sham control rats. Our study provides new evidence of long-term gut alterations, along with microbiota-related metabolic changes, occurring specifically in rats that develop epilepsy after brain injury early in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Riva
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Eray Sahin
- Acıbadem University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Greta Volpedo
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Rossella Di Sapia
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Davide Barbarossa
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Nasibeh Riahi Zaniani
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Craparotta
- Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Barbera
- Department of Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Uğur Sezerman
- Acıbadem University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Annamaria Vezzani
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Teresa Ravizza
- Department of Acute Brain and Cardiovascular Injury, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
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Kundu S, Nayak S, Rakshit D, Singh T, Shukla R, Khatri DK, Mishra A. The microbiome-gut-brain axis in epilepsy: pharmacotherapeutic target from bench evidence for potential bedside applications. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3557-3567. [PMID: 36880679 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
The gut-brain axis augments the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain and modulates gut homeostasis and the central nervous system through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, enteroendocrine system, neuroendocrine system, inflammatory and immune pathways. Preclinical and clinical reports showed that gut dysbiosis might play a major regulatory role in neurological diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that causes recurrent and unprovoked seizures, and numerous risk factors are implicated in developing epilepsy. Advanced consideration of the gut-microbiota-brain axis can reduce ambiguity about epilepsy pathology, antiepileptic drugs, and effective therapeutic targets. Gut microbiota sequencing analysis reported that the level of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria, and Firmicutes was increased and the level of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes was decreased in epilepsy patients. Clinical and preclinical studies also indicated that probiotics, ketogenic diet, faecal microbiota transplantation, and antibiotics can improve gut dysbiosis and alleviate seizure by enhancing the abundance of healthy biota. This study aims to give an overview of the connection between gut microbiota, and epilepsy, how gut microbiome changes may cause epilepsy, and whether gut microbiome restoration could be used as a treatment for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehashis Kundu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, India
| | - Sudipta Nayak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, India
| | - Debarati Rakshit
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, India
| | - Tanveer Singh
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - Rahul Shukla
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Raebareli, Lucknow, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Awanish Mishra
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Guwahati, India
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Mengoli M, Conti G, Fabbrini M, Candela M, Brigidi P, Turroni S, Barone M. Microbiota-gut-brain axis and ketogenic diet: how close are we to tackling epilepsy? MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:32. [PMID: 38045924 PMCID: PMC10688818 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The microbiota-gut-brain axis refers to the intricate bidirectional communication between commensal microorganisms residing in the digestive tract and the central nervous system, along neuroendocrine, metabolic, immune, and inflammatory pathways. This axis has been suggested to play a role in several neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy, paving the way for microbiome-based intervention strategies for the mitigation and treatment of symptoms. Epilepsy is a multifaceted neurological condition affecting more than 50 million individuals worldwide, 30% of whom do not respond to conventional pharmacological therapies. Among the first-hand microbiota modulation strategies, nutritional interventions represent an easily applicable option in both clinical and home settings. In this narrative review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis involvement in epilepsy, discuss the impact of antiepileptic drugs on the gut microbiome, and then the impact of a particular dietary pattern, the ketogenic diet, on the microbiota-gut-brain axis in epileptic patients. The investigation of the microbiota response to non-pharmacological therapies is an ever-expanding field with the potential to allow the design of increasingly accessible and successful intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariachiara Mengoli
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Gabriele Conti
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Marco Fabbrini
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Marco Candela
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Patrizia Brigidi
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
| | - Silvia Turroni
- Unit of Microbiome Science and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna 40126, Italy
| | - Monica Barone
- Microbiomics Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna 40138, Italy
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Gabrielsson A, Tromans S, Watkins L, Burrows L, Laugharne R, Shankar R. Poo Matters! A scoping review of impact of constipation on epilepsy. Seizure 2023; 108:127-136. [PMID: 37146516 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder which frequently presents with co-morbid physical health conditions, including constipation. However, the nature of the relationship between the two conditions has not been well defined. AIM To quantify constipation's relationship with epilepsy and anti-seizure medication (ASM). METHOD A scoping review registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022320079) with suitable search terms was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidance. CINAHL, Embase, PsycInfo and MEDLINE electronic databases were searched by an information specialist. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools alongside the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (OCEBM) levels of evidence were used to assist in assessing relevance, quality, and results of the included publications. RESULTS Nine articles selected for inclusion in the review. The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (including constipation) was reported to be up to five times more frequent in people with epilepsy (PWE). Functional constipation was reported in 36% of PWE. Constipation was found to be the second most common co-morbid condition in children with epilepsy. Two studies found constipation to precede seizures. Constipation was reported as a common side effect of ASMs in PWE. Two studies rated OCEBM level 2 the remaining level 3. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a higher prevalence of constipation in PWE. Co-occurring multimorbidity and resulting polypharmacy adds further complexity to the process of establishing aetiology of constipation in PWE. Potential contributory aetiological factors for constipation such as neurodevelopmental and genetic disorders, ASM side effects and the epilepsy itself require better understanding and research.
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Editorial: The gut microbiome and epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 175:105935. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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