Cecal metabolome fingerprint in a rat model of decompression sickness with neurological disorders

CO2 Breathing Prior to Simulated Diving Increases Decompression Sickness Risk in a Mouse Model: The Microbiota Trail Is Not Forgotten

Decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders is the leading cause of major diving accidents treated in hyperbaric chambers. Exposure to high levels of CO2 during diving is a safety concern for occupational groups at risk of DCS. However, the effects of prior exposure to CO2 have never been evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of CO2 breathing prior to a provocative dive on the occurrence of DCS in mice. Fifty mice were exposed to a maximum CO2 concentration of 70 hPa, i.e., 7% at atmospheric pressure, for one hour at atmospheric pressure. Another 50 mice breathing air under similar conditions served as controls. In the AIR group (control), 22 out of 50 mice showed post-dive symptoms compared to 44 out of 50 in the CO2 group (p < 0.001). We found that CO2 breathing is associated with a decrease in body temperature in mice and that CO2 exposure dramatically increases the incidence of DCS (p < 0.001). More unexpectedly, it appears that the lower temperature of the animals even before exposure to the accident-prone protocol leads to an unfavorable prognosis (p = 0.046). This study also suggests that the composition of the microbiota may influence thermogenesis and thus accidentology. Depending on prior exposure, some of the bacterial genera identified in this work could be perceived as beneficial or pathogenic.

Highlighting of the interactions of MYD88 and NFKB1 SNPs in rats resistant to decompression sickness: toward an autoimmune response

Decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders includes an inappropriate inflammatory response which degenerates slowly, even after the disappearance of the bubbles. There is high inter-individual variability in terms of the occurrence of DCS that could have been mastered by the selection and then the breeding of DCS-resistant rats. We hypothesized the selection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to autoimmunity operated upon a generation of a DCS-resistant strain of rats. We used the candidate gene approach and targeted SNPs linked to the signaling cascade that directly regulates inflammation of innate immunity transiting by the Toll-like receptors. Twenty candidate SNPs were investigated in 36 standard rats and 33 DCS-resistant rats. For the first time, we identify a diplotype (i.e., with matched haplotypes)-when coinherited-that strengthens protection against DCS, which is not strictly homozygous and suggests that a certain tolerance may be considered. We deduced an ideal haplotype of six variants from it (MyD88_50-T, _49-A, _97-C coupled to NFKB_85-T, _69-T, _45-T) linked to the resistant phenotype. Four among the six identified variants are located in pre- and/or post-transcriptional areas regulating MyD88 or NFKB1 expression. Because of missense mutations, the other two variants induce a structural change in the NFKB1 protein complex including one damage alteration according to the Missense3D algorithm. In addition to the MyD88/NFKB1 haplotype providing rats with a strong resistance to DCS, this also highlights the importance that the immune response, here linked to the genetic heritage, can have in the development of DCS and offer a new perspective for therapeutic strategies.

Cecal Metabolomic Fingerprint of Unscathed Rats: Does It Reflect the Good Response to a Provocative Decompression?

On one side, decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders lead to a reshuffle of the cecal metabolome of rats. On the other side, there is also a specific and different metabolomic signature in the cecum of a strain of DCS-resistant rats, that are not exposed to hyperbaric protocol. We decide to study a conventional strain of rats that resist to an accident-provoking hyperbaric exposure, and we hypothesize that the metabolomic signature put forward may correspond to a physiological response adapted to the stress induced by diving. The aim is to verify and characterize whether the cecal compounds of rats resistant to the provocative dive have a cecal metabolomic signature different from those who do not dive. 35 asymptomatic diver rats are selected to be compared to 21 rats non-exposed to the hyperbaric protocol. Because our aim is essentially to study the differences in the cecal metabolome associated with the hyperbaric exposure, about half of the rats are fed soy and the other half of maize in order to better rule out the effect of the diet itself. Lower levels of IL-1β and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity are registered in blood of diving rats. No blood cell mobilization is noted. Conventional and ChemRICH approaches help the metabolomic interpretation of the 185 chemical compounds analyzed in the cecal content. Statistical analysis show a panel of 102 compounds diet related. 19 are in common with the hyperbaric protocol effect. Expression of 25 compounds has changed in the cecal metabolome of rats resistant to the provocative dive suggesting an alteration of biliary acids metabolism, most likely through actions on gut microbiota. There seem to be also weak changes in allocations dedicated to various energy pathways, including hormonal reshuffle. Some of the metabolites may also have a role in regulating inflammation, while some may be consumed for the benefit of oxidative stress management.

Genome-Scale Metabolic Modeling of the Human Microbiome in the Era of Personalized Medicine

The human microbiome plays an important role in human health and disease. Meta-omics analyses provide indispensable data for linking changes in microbiome composition and function to disease etiology. Yet, the lack of a mechanistic understanding of, e.g., microbiome-metabolome links hampers the translation of these findings into effective, novel therapeutics. Here, we propose metabolic modeling of microbial communities through constraint-based reconstruction and analysis (COBRA) as a complementary approach to meta-omics analyses. First, we highlight the importance of microbial metabolism in cardiometabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson disease. Next, we demonstrate that microbial community modeling can stratify patients and controls, mechanistically link microbes with fecal metabolites altered in disease, and identify host pathways affected by the microbiome. Finally, we outline our vision for COBRA modeling combined with meta-omics analyses and multivariate statistical analyses to inform and guide clinical trials, yield testable hypotheses, and ultimately propose novel dietary and therapeutic interventions. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Evidence of a hormonal reshuffle in the cecal metabolome fingerprint of a strain of rats resistant to decompression sickness

On one side, decompression sickness (DCS) with neurological disorders lead to a reshuffle of the fecal metabolome from rat caecum. On the other side, there is high inter-individual variability in terms of occurrence of DCS. One could wonder whether the fecal metabolome could be linked to the DCS-susceptibility. We decided to study male and female rats selected for their resistance to decompression sickness, and we hypothesize a strong impregnation concerning the fecal metabolome. The aim is to verify whether the rats resistant to the accident have a fecal metabolomic signature different from the stem generations sensitive to DCS. 39 DCS-resistant animals (21 females and 18 males), aged 14 weeks, were compared to 18 age-matched standard Wistar rats (10 females and 8 males), i.e., the same as those we used for the founding stock. Conventional and ChemRICH approaches helped the metabolomic interpretation of the 226 chemical compounds analyzed in the cecal content. Statistical analysis shows a panel of 81 compounds whose expression had changed following the selection of rats based on their resistance to DCS. 63 compounds are sex related. 39 are in common. This study shows the spectral fingerprint of the fecal metabolome from the caecum of a strain of rats resistant to decompression sickness. This study also confirms a difference linked to sex in the metabolome of non-selected rats, which disappear with selective breeding. Results suggest hormonal and energetic reshuffle, including steroids sugars or antibiotic compounds, whether in the host or in the microbial community.