1
|
Behrens LMP, Gasparotto J, Rampelotto PH, Escalona MAR, da Silva LDS, Carazza-Kessler FG, Barbosa CP, Campos MS, Dorn M, Gelain DP, Moreira JCF. Sodium propionate oral supplementation ameliorates depressive-like behavior through gut microbiome and histone 3 epigenetic regulation. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 130:109660. [PMID: 38685283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109660] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global health concern, affecting over 250 million individuals worldwide. In recent years, the gut-brain axis has emerged as a promising field for understanding the pathophysiology of MDD. Microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-acetate, butyrate, and propionate-, have gained attention for their potential to influence epigenetic modifications within the host brain. However, the precise mechanisms through which these metabolites participate in MDD pathophysiology remain elusive. This study was designed to investigate the effects of oral SCFA supplementation in adult male Wistar rats subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). A subset of control and CUMS-exposed rats received different supplementations: sodium acetate (NaOAc) at a concentration of 60 mM, sodium butyrate (NaB) at 40 mM, sodium propionate (NaP) at 50 mM, or a mixture of these SCFAs. The gut microbiome was assessed through 16S rRNA sequencing, and epigenetic profiling was performed using Western blot analysis. Results demonstrated that NaP supplementation significantly alleviated anhedonia in stressed animals, as evidenced by improved performance in the sucrose consumption test. This ameliorative effect was potentially associated with the modulation of gut bacterial communities, accompanied by the attenuation of the region-specific epigenetic dysregulation in the brain of the animals exposed to chronic stress. These findings suggest a potential association between gut dysbiosis and stress response, and NaP could be a promising target for future MDD interventions. However, further studies are needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Marques Prates Behrens
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil.
| | - Juciano Gasparotto
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core Facility, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-907, Brazil
| | - Manuel Adrian Riveros Escalona
- Graduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Lucas Dos Santos da Silva
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Flávio Gabriel Carazza-Kessler
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Camila Pocharski Barbosa
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Marlene Soares Campos
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Márcio Dorn
- Department of Theoretical Informatics, Institute of Informatics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil; Center of Biotechnology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 91501-970, Brazil
| | - Daniel Pens Gelain
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - José Cláudio Fonseca Moreira
- Center of Oxidative Stress Studies, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Deng W, Yi P, Xiong Y, Ying J, Lin Y, Dong Y, Wei G, Wang X, Hua F. Gut Metabolites Acting on the Gut-Brain Axis: Regulating the Functional State of Microglia. Aging Dis 2024; 15:480-502. [PMID: 37548933 PMCID: PMC10917527 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0727] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut-brain axis is a communication channel that mediates a complex interplay of intestinal flora with the neural, endocrine, and immune systems, linking gut and brain functions. Gut metabolites, a group of small molecules produced or consumed by biochemical processes in the gut, are involved in central nervous system regulation via the highly interconnected gut-brain axis affecting microglia indirectly by influencing the structure of the gut-brain axis or directly affecting microglia function and activity. Accordingly, pathological changes in the central nervous system are connected with changes in intestinal metabolite levels as well as altered microglia function and activity, which may contribute to the pathological process of each neuroinflammatory condition. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which gut metabolites, for instance, the bile acids, short-chain fatty acids, and tryptophan metabolites, regulate the structure of each component of the gut-brain axis, and explore the important roles of gut metabolites in the central nervous system from the perspective of microglia. At the same time, we highlight the roles of gut metabolites affecting microglia in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding the relationship between microglia, gut microbiota, neuroinflammation, and neurodevelopmental disorders will help us identify new strategies for treating neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenze Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Pengcheng Yi
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yanhong Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Jun Ying
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yue Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Yao Dong
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Gen Wei
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Xifeng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Fuzhou Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
- Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang City, Jiangxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wilson JN, Kigerl KA, Sunshine MD, Taylor CE, Speed SL, Rose BC, Calulot CM, Dong BE, Hawkinson TR, Clarke HA, Bachstetter AD, Waters CM, Sun RC, Popovich PG, Alilain WJ. Targeting the Microbiome to Improve Gut Health and Breathing Function After Spinal Cord Injury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.23.546264. [PMID: 38187534 PMCID: PMC10769193 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.23.546264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition characterized by impaired motor and sensory function, as well as internal organ pathology and dysfunction. This internal organ dysfunction, particularly gastrointestinal (GI) complications, and neurogenic bowel, can reduce the quality of life of individuals with an SCI and potentially hinder their recovery. The gut microbiome impacts various central nervous system functions and has been linked to a number of health and disease states. An imbalance of the gut microbiome, i.e., gut dysbiosis, contributes to neurological disease and may influence recovery and repair processes after SCI. Here we examine the impact of high cervical SCI on the gut microbiome and find that transient gut dysbiosis with persistent gut pathology develops after SCI. Importantly, probiotic treatment improves gut health and respiratory motor function measured through whole-body plethysmography. Concurrent with these improvements was a systemic decrease in the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha and an increase in neurite sprouting and regenerative potential of neurons. Collectively, these data reveal the gut microbiome as an important therapeutic target to improve visceral organ health and respiratory motor recovery after SCI. Research Highlights Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) causes transient gut dysbiosis and persistent gastrointestinal (GI) pathology.Treatment with probiotics after SCI leads to a healthier GI tract and improved respiratory motor recovery.Probiotic treatment decreases systemic tumor necrosis factor-alpha and increases the potential for sprouting and regeneration of neurons after SCI.The gut microbiome is a valid target to improve motor function and secondary visceral health after SCI.
Collapse
|