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Muchhala KH, Kallurkar PS, Kang M, Koseli E, Poklis JL, Xu Q, Dewey WL, Fettweis JM, Jimenez NR, Akbarali HI. The role of morphine- and fentanyl-induced impairment of intestinal epithelial antibacterial activity in dysbiosis and its impact on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23603. [PMID: 38648368 PMCID: PMC11047137 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301590rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that chronic exposure to opioid analgesics such as morphine disrupts the intestinal epithelial layer and causes intestinal dysbiosis. Depleting gut bacteria can preclude the development of tolerance to opioid-induced antinociception, suggesting an important role of the gut-brain axis in mediating opioid effects. The mechanism underlying opioid-induced dysbiosis, however, remains unclear. Host-produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical for the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier as they prevent the pathogenesis of the enteric microbiota. Here, we report that chronic morphine or fentanyl exposure reduces the antimicrobial activity in the ileum, resulting in changes in the composition of bacteria. Fecal samples from morphine-treated mice had increased levels of Akkermansia muciniphila with a shift in the abundance ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Fecal microbial transplant (FMT) from morphine-naïve mice or oral supplementation with butyrate restored (a) the antimicrobial activity, (b) the expression of the antimicrobial peptide, Reg3γ, (c) prevented the increase in intestinal permeability and (d) prevented the development of antinociceptive tolerance in morphine-dependent mice. Improved epithelial barrier function with FMT or butyrate prevented the enrichment of the mucin-degrading A. muciniphila in morphine-dependent mice. These data implicate impairment of the antimicrobial activity of the intestinal epithelium as a mechanism by which opioids disrupt the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan H. Muchhala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Prajkta S. Kallurkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Minho Kang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Eda Koseli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Qingguo Xu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - William L. Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jennifer M. Fettweis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nicole R. Jimenez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Hamid I. Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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Sall I, Foxall R, Felth L, Maret S, Rosa Z, Gaur A, Calawa J, Pavlik N, Whistler JL, Whistler CA. Gut dysbiosis was inevitable, but tolerance was not: temporal responses of the murine microbiota that maintain its capacity for butyrate production correlate with sustained antinociception to chronic voluntary morphine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589671. [PMID: 38659831 PMCID: PMC11042308 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The therapeutic benefits of opioids are compromised by the development of analgesic tolerance, which necessitates higher dosing for pain management thereby increasing the liability for dependence and addiction. Rodent models indicate opposing roles of the gut microbiota in tolerance: morphine-induced gut dysbiosis exacerbates tolerance, whereas probiotics ameliorate tolerance. Not all individuals develop tolerance which could be influenced by differences in microbiota, and yet no study has capitalized upon this natural variation to identify specific features linked to tolerance. We leveraged this natural variation in a murine model of voluntary oral morphine self-administration to elucidate the mechanisms by which microbiota influences tolerance. Although all mice shared similar and predictive morphine-driven microbiota changes that largely masked informative associations with variability in tolerance, our high-resolution temporal analyses revealed a divergence in the progression of dysbiosis that best explained differences in the development in tolerance. Mice that did not develop tolerance also maintained a higher abundance of taxa capable of producing the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate, known to bolster intestinal barriers, suppress inflammation, and promote neuronal homeostasis. Furthermore, dietary butyrate supplementation significantly reduced the development of tolerance. These findings could inform immediate therapies to extend the analgesic efficacy of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella Sall
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Graduate program in Molecular and Evolutionary Systems Biology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Randi Foxall
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Lindsey Felth
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Soren Maret
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Zachary Rosa
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Anirudh Gaur
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Calawa
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
- Microbiology Graduate Program, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Nadia Pavlik
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Jennifer L. Whistler
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California–Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cheryl A. Whistler
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
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Greenberg JM, Winters AD, Zagorac B, Kracht DJ, Francescutti DM, Cannella N, Ciccocioppo R, Woods LCS, Mackle J, Hardiman GT, Kuhn BN, Kalivas PW, Kuhn DM, Angoa-Perez M. Long access heroin self-administration significantly alters gut microbiome composition and structure. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1369783. [PMID: 38476614 PMCID: PMC10927763 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1369783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is well known that chronic opioid use disorder is associated with alterations in gastrointestinal (GI) function that include constipation, reduced motility, and increased bacterial translocation due to compromised gut barrier function. These signs of disrupted GI function can be associated with alterations in the gut microbiome. However, it is not known if long-access opioid self-administration has effects on the gut microbiome. Methods We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the gut microbiome in three independent cohorts (N=40 for each) of NIH heterogeneous stock rats before onset of long-access heroin self-administration (i.e., naïve status), at the end of a 15-day period of self-administration, and after post-extinction reinstatement. Measures of microbial α- and β-diversity were evaluated for all phases. High-dimensional class comparisons were carried out with MaAsLin2. PICRUSt2 was used for predicting functional pathways impacted by heroin based on marker gene sequences. Results Community α-diversity was not altered by heroin at any of the three phases by comparison to saline-yoked controls. Analyses of β-diversity showed that the heroin and saline-yoked groups clustered significantly apart from each other using the Bray-Curtis (community structure) index. Heroin caused significant alterations at the ASV level at the self-administration and extinction phases. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was increased at the self-administration phase. Deferribacteres was decreased in heroin whereas Patescibacteria was increased in heroin at the extinction phase. Potential biomarkers for heroin emerged from the MaAsLin2 analysis. Bacterial metabolomic pathways relating to degradation of carboxylic acids, nucleotides, nucleosides, carbohydrates, and glycogen were increased by heroin while pathways relating to biosynthesis of vitamins, propionic acid, fatty acids, and lipids were decreased. Discussion These findings support the view that long access heroin self-administration significantly alters the structure of the gut microbiome by comparison to saline-yoked controls. Inferred metabolic pathway alterations suggest the development of a microbial imbalance favoring gut inflammation and energy expenditure. Potential microbial biomarkers and related functional pathways likely invoked by heroin self-administration could be targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Greenberg
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Andrew D. Winters
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Branislava Zagorac
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - David J. Kracht
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Dina M. Francescutti
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, Center for Neuroscience, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Leah C. Solberg Woods
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - James Mackle
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Gary T. Hardiman
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Brittany N. Kuhn
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Peter W. Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Donald M. Kuhn
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Mariana Angoa-Perez
- John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Detroit, MI, United States
- Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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Muchhala K, Kang M, Koseli E, Poklis J, Xu Q, Dewey W, Fettweis J, Jimenez N, Akbarali H. The Role of Morphine-Induced Impairment of Intestinal Epithelial Antibacterial Activity in Dysbiosis and its Impact on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis.. [PMID: 37503065 PMCID: PMC10371156 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3084467/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that chronic exposure to opioid analgesics such as morphine disrupt the intestinal epithelial layer and cause intestinal dysbiosis. Inhibiting opioid-induced dysbiosis can preclude the development of tolerance to opioid-induced antinociception, suggesting an important role of the gut-brain axis in mediating opioid effects. However, the mechanism underlying opioid-induced dysbiosis remains unclear. Host-produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical for the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier as they prevent the pathogenesis of the enteric microbiota. Here, we report that chronic morphine exposure reduces expression of the antimicrobial peptide, Regenerating islet-derived 3 gamma (Reg3γ), in the ileum resulting in reduced intestinal antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, L. reuteri. Fecal samples from morphine-treated mice had reduced levels of the phylum, Firmicutes, concomitant with reduced levels of short-chain fatty acid, butyrate. Fecal microbial transplant (FMT) from morphine-naïve mice restored the antimicrobial activity, the expression of Reg3γ, and prevented the increase in intestinal permeability and the development of antinociceptive tolerance in morphine-dependent mice. Similarly, oral gavage with sodium butyrate dose-dependently reduced the development of antinociceptive tolerance, and prevented the downregulation of Reg3γ and the reduction in antimicrobial activity. The alpha diversity of the microbiome was also restored by oral butyrate in morphine-dependent mice. These data implicate impairment of the antimicrobial activity of the intestinal epithelium as a mechanism by which morphine disrupts the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Muchhala K, Kang M, Koseli E, Poklis J, Xu Q, Dewey W, Fettweis J, Jimenez N, Akbarali H. The Role of Morphine-Induced Impairment of Intestinal Epithelial Antibacterial Activity in Dysbiosis and its Impact on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3084467. [PMID: 37503065 PMCID: PMC10371156 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3084467/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that chronic exposure to opioid analgesics such as morphine disrupt the intestinal epithelial layer and cause intestinal dysbiosis. Inhibiting opioid-induced dysbiosis can preclude the development of tolerance to opioid-induced antinociception, suggesting an important role of the gut-brain axis in mediating opioid effects. However, the mechanism underlying opioid-induced dysbiosis remains unclear. Host-produced antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical for the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier as they prevent the pathogenesis of the enteric microbiota. Here, we report that chronic morphine exposure reduces expression of the antimicrobial peptide, Regenerating islet-derived 3 gamma (Reg3γ), in the ileum resulting in reduced intestinal antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, L. reuteri. Fecal samples from morphine-treated mice had reduced levels of the phylum, Firmicutes, concomitant with reduced levels of short-chain fatty acid, butyrate. Fecal microbial transplant (FMT) from morphine-naïve mice restored the antimicrobial activity, the expression of Reg3γ, and prevented the increase in intestinal permeability and the development of antinociceptive tolerance in morphine-dependent mice. Similarly, oral gavage with sodium butyrate dose-dependently reduced the development of antinociceptive tolerance, and prevented the downregulation of Reg3γ and the reduction in antimicrobial activity. The alpha diversity of the microbiome was also restored by oral butyrate in morphine-dependent mice. These data implicate impairment of the antimicrobial activity of the intestinal epithelium as a mechanism by which morphine disrupts the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Pain and Opioid-Induced Gut Microbial Dysbiosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081815. [PMID: 36009361 PMCID: PMC9404803 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid-induced dysbiosis (OID) is a specific condition describing the consequences of opioid use on the bacterial composition of the gut. Opioids have been shown to affect the epithelial barrier in the gut and modulate inflammatory pathways, possibly mediating opioid tolerance or opioid-induced hyperalgesia; in combination, these allow the invasion and proliferation of non-native bacterial colonies. There is also evidence that the gut-brain axis is linked to the emotional and cognitive aspects of the brain with intestinal function, which can be a factor that affects mental health. For example, Mycobacterium, Escherichia coli and Clostridium difficile are linked to Irritable Bowel Disease; Lactobacillaceae and Enterococcacae have associations with Parkinson’s disease, and Alistipes has increased prevalence in depression. However, changes to the gut microbiome can be therapeutically influenced with treatments such as faecal microbiota transplantation, targeted antibiotic therapy and probiotics. There is also evidence of emerging therapies to combat OID. This review has collated evidence that shows that there are correlations between OID and depression, Parkinson’s Disease, infection, and more. Specifically, in pain management, targeting OID deserves specific investigations.
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Muchhala KH, Koseli E, Gade AR, Woods K, Minai S, Kang M, McQuiston AR, Dewey WL, Akbarali HI. Chronic Morphine Induces IL-18 in Ileum Myenteric Plexus Neurons Through Mu-opioid Receptor Activation in Cholinergic and VIPergic Neurons. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2022; 17:111-130. [PMID: 35106734 PMCID: PMC9343479 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-021-10050-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal epithelium is critical for maintaining a symbiotic relationship with commensal microbiota. Chronic morphine exposure can compromise the gut epithelial barrier in mice and lead to dysbiosis. Recently, studies have implicated morphine-induced dysbiosis in the mechanism of antinociceptive tolerance and reward, suggesting the presence of a gut-brain axis in the pharmacological effects of morphine. However, the mechanism(s) underlying morphine-induced changes in the gut microbiome remains unclear. The pro-inflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-18 (IL-18), released by enteric neurons can modulate gut barrier function. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effect of morphine on IL-18 expression in the mouse ileum. We observed that chronic morphine exposure in vivo induces IL-18 expression in the ileum myenteric plexus that is attenuated by naloxone. Given that mu-opioid receptors (MORs) are mainly expressed in enteric neurons, we also characterized morphine effects on the excitability of cholinergic (excitatory) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing (inhibitory) myenteric neurons. We found fundamental differences in the electrical properties of cholinergic and VIP neurons such that VIP neurons are more excitable than cholinergic neurons. Furthermore, MORs were primarily expressed in cholinergic neurons, although a subset of VIP neurons also expressed MORs and responded to morphine in electrophysiology experiments. In conclusion, these data show that morphine increases IL-18 in ileum myenteric plexus neurons via activation of MORs in a subset of cholinergic and VIP neurons. Thus, understanding the neurochemistry and electrophysiology of MOR-expressing enteric neurons can help to delineate mechanisms by which morphine perturbs the gut barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan H Muchhala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Eda Koseli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Aravind R Gade
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Kareem Woods
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Suha Minai
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Minho Kang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - A Rory McQuiston
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E. Marshall Street, Richmond VA 23298
| | - William L Dewey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Hamid I Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23298,Corresponding Author:
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England CG. Physiology in Perspective. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 36:270-271. [PMID: 34431419 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00032.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G England
- Ethics and Editorial Development, American Physiological Society, Rockville, Maryland
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