Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affect patients' cognitive function and their mental health, imposing a huge burden on families and society. There are approximately 50 million epilepsy patients worldwide, with a prevalence rate of 4‰~7‰ in China, including about 6 million active epilepsy patients. Although scientists have been devoted to the research and exploration of epilepsy, the causes and pathological mechanisms of epilepsy are still poorly understood. The effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs is limited, and more effective methods is needed. With the deepening of microbiological research, many studies have found significant differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota of epilepsy patients compared to healthy individuals. Analysis of the intestinal microbiota of epilepsy patients through sequencing has shown significantly lower abundances of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes compared to the normal population. Many related clinical studies have found that adopting a ketogenic diet, taking probiotics orally, using antibiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can effectively control epilepsy by normalizing the intestinal microbiota. Various studies suggest a possible connection between the intestinal microbiota and epilepsy, recognizing that the intestinal microbiota can have an impact on the central nervous system. As a result, gut-brain axisis gradually recognized by scientists. Therefore, the role of the intestinal microbiota in epilepsy is gradually being recognized, and recent clinical studies have confirmed that supplementing probiotics can effectively reduce seizure frequency and improve comorbidities, which may become a new method for treating epilepsy.
ObjectiveTo review the association of gut microbiota and postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) in patients after abdominal surgery and to provide a new idea for the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of postoperative GID in patients after abdominal surgery.MethodThe related and latest literatures were reviewed by searching the literatures on “intestinal flora” “gut microbiota” “intestinal microbial population” “brain-gut axis” “gastrointestinal function” “gastric paralysis” “intestinal paralysis” and “ileus” from January 1, 2000 to April 2, 2021 in Chinese and English databases.ResultsGut microbiota diversity was closely related to postoperative GID symptoms in patients after abdominal surgery. Gut microbiota regulated gastrointestinal motility and mucosal barrier function by metabolizing food to produce metabolites such as 5-hydroxytryptamine, melatonin, short-chain fatty acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, and so on.ConclusionsThe imbalance of gut microbiota is closely related to postoperative GID in patients after abdominal surgery. However, the relevant bacterial metabolites that have been found are limited at present, and the relevant mechanism needs to be further investigated.
Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is one of the most common and complex complications of diabetes. In recent years, studies have shown that gut microbiota can regulate inflammatory response, intestinal permeability, glucose metabolism, and fatty acid oxidation, synthesis, and energy consumption by regulating factors such as lipopolysaccharides, short chain fatty acids, bile acids, and branched chain amino acids, achieving the goal of treating DNP. This paper summarizes the relevant mechanisms of gut microbiota in the treatment of DNP, the relevant intervention measures of traditional Chinese and western medicine, in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment of DNP.
ObjectiveTo explore the composition of intestinal microbiota between patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma, reversible airflow obstruction asthma, and healthy control, and analyze the correlation between key differential bacterial distribution and clinical characteristics. MethodsFifteen patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma (FAO) and 13 patients with reversible airflow obstruction asthma (RAO) were included, along with 11 matched healthy control subjects. Clinical data were collected, and lung function tests and induced sputum examination were performed. Blood and stool samples were tested to compare the gut microbiota status among the groups, and analyze the relationship between gut microbiota abundance and patients' blood routine, IgE levels, lung function, and induced sputum. Results The dominant bacterial compositions were similar in the three groups, but there were differences in the abundance of some species. Compared to the RAO group, the FAO group showed a significant increase in the genera of Bacteroides and Escherichia coli, while Pseudomonas was significantly decreased. The phylum Firmicutes was negatively correlated with the course of asthma, while the phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides were positively correlated with the asthma course. Bacteroidetes was negatively correlated with Pre-BD FEV1/FVC, Pseudomonas was positively correlated with Pre-BD FEV1, Escherichia coli was negatively correlated with Post-BD FEV1/FVC, and Bacteroides was negatively correlated with Post-BD MMEF. The class Actinobacteria and the order Actinomycetales were negatively correlated with peripheral blood EOS%, while the order Enterobacteriales and the family Enterobacteriaceae were positively correlated with peripheral blood IgE levels. Furthermore, Actinobacteria and Actinomycetales were negatively correlated with induced sputum EOS%. Conclusions There are differences in the gut microbiota among patients with fixed airflow obstruction asthma, reversible airflow obstruction asthma, and healthy individuals. Bacteroides and Escherichia coli are enriched in the fixed airflow obstruction asthma group, while the Firmicutes are increased in the reversible airflow obstruction asthma group. These three microbiota may act together on Th2 cell-mediated inflammatory responses, influencing the process of airway remodeling, and thereby interfering with the occurrence of fixed airflow obstruction in asthma.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the composition of intestinal microbiota among the biliopancreatic limb, the Roux limb, and the common channel in normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. MethodsSixteen SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group (Sham group) and RYGB group, each group enrolled 8 rats. Rats in Sham group underwent sham surgery of end to end anastomosis in situ after cutting off the stomach and jejunum, and rats in RYGB group underwent RYGB. Then quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the expression of total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus mRNA at biliopancreatic limb, the Roux limb, and the common channel. At last the comparison of mRNA in 4 kinds of bacteria was performed. ResultsCompared with Sham group, the weight of rats in RYGB group was lower at 8 weeks after surgery (P<0.01). RT-PCR results showed that, expression levels of total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides mRNA at the Roux limb and the common channel in RYGB group were higher than corresponding site of rats in Sham group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at biliopancreatic limb between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Expression level of Lactobacillus mRNA at the Roux limb in RYGB group was higher than corresponding site of rats in Sham group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at biliopancreatic limb and the common channel between the 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionRYGB can significantly improve expression levels of the total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides mRNA at Roux limb and the common channel, increase the level of Lactobacillus mRNA at Roux limb, while has no influence on biliopancreatic limb.
The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are high, with strong invasiveness and poor prognosis. In China, the number of morbidity and death accounts for about half of the world. The cause of the disease has not yet been clarified, and it is known to be related to many factors such as chronic damage to the upper digestive tract caused by poor diet and lifestyle, heredity and environment. With the continuous advancement of molecular biology technology, metagenomics and high-throughput sequencing began to be used as non-culture methods instead of traditional culture methods for micro-ecological analysis, and is becoming a research hotspot. Many studies have shown that the disturbance of upper digestive tract microecology may be one of the causes of esophageal cancer, which affects the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer through complex interactions with the body and various mechanisms. This paper reviews the research progress, which is of great significance to further clarify the value of upper gastrointestinal microecology in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of esophageal cancer.
Objective To explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and urinary tract infections (UTI) using data from genome-wide association studies. Methods The gut microbiota data were sourced from the MiBioGen consortium, comprising genetic variables from 18 340 individuals. UTI data (ieu-b-5.65) were derived from the UK Biobank. Six methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW), Mendelian randomization (MR)-Egger, maximum likelihood, simple mode, weighted mode, and weighted median were employed for two-sample MR analysis on these datasets. Additionally, MR-PRESSO was used to detect and correct for heterogeneity and outliers in the analysis. Cochran’s Q test and leave-one-out analysis were applied to assess potential heterogeneity and multiple effects. Furthermore, reverse MR analysis was conducted to investigate causal relationships between UTI and gut microbiota. Results According to IVW method analysis results, bacterial genera Eggerthella (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.16, P=0.034) and Ruminococcaceae (UCG005) (OR=1.10, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.20, P=0.022) were found to increase the risk of UTI, while Defluviitaleaceae (UCG011) (OR=0.90, 95%CI 0.82 to 0.99, P=0.022) appeared to decrease it. Reverse MR analysis did not reveal a significant effect of UTI on these three bacterial genera. Our study found no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy based on the results of Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO global test. Conclusion In this MR study, we demonstrate a causal association between Eggerthella, Ruminococcaceae, Defluvitalaceae and the risk of urinary tract infections.
The concept of “Microbe-gut-eye axis” holds that metabolites of the gut microbiota are involved in the pathogenesis of various eye diseases. The composition and diversity of gut microbiota in diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients are significantly different from those in non-DR patients. Metabolites of the gut microbiota such as lipopolysaccharide, short-chain fatty acid, bile acids and branched-chain amino acid aggravate or attenuate the progression of DR by regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial function, insulin sensitivity, immune response, and autophagy of retinal cells. Therefore, gut microbiota and their metabolites play a role in the occurrence and development of DR through multiple pathways. The participation of gut microbiota may open up a new way to prevent and treat DR in the future.
Objective To analyze the causal relationship between gut microbiota and tic disorder based on Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods A total of 196 known microbiota (9 phyla, 16 classes, 20 orders, 32 families, and 119 genera) in the human intestinal microbiota dataset downloaded from the MiBioGen database were selected as the exposure factors, and the dataset of tic disorder (finn-b-KRA_PSY_TIC) containing 172 patients and 218620 controls was downloaded from the genome-wide association study database as the outcome variable. Inverse variance weighted was used as the main analysis method, and the causal relationship between gut microbiota and tic disorder was evaluated using odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO global test, heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran’s Q test, and sensitivity analysis was performed by leave-one-out method. Results Inverse variance weighted results showed that the Family Rhodospirillaceae [OR=0.398, 95%CI (0.191, 0.831), P=0.014], Order Rhodospirillales [OR=0.349, 95%CI (0.164, 0.743), P=0.006], and Parasutterella [OR=0.392, 95%CI (0.171, 0.898), P=0.027] had negative causal relationships with tic disorder. The Genus Lachnospira [OR=8.784, 95%CI (1.160, 66.496), P=0.035] and Candidatus Soleaferrea [OR=2.572, 95%CI (1.161, 5.695), P=0.020] had positive causal relationships with tic disorder. In addition, MR-Egger intercept and MR-PRESSO global test showed no horizontal pleiotropy, Cochran’s Q test showed no heterogeneity, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis showed the results were stable. Conclusions A causal relationship exists between gut microbiota and tic disorder. The Family Rhodospirillaceae, Order Rhodospirillales, and Parasutterella are associated with a decreased risk of tic disorder, while the Genus Lachnospira and Candidatus Soleaverea can increase the risk of tic disorder.
Objective To analyze the causal relationship between gut microbiota and childhood asthma based on Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods The human gut microbiota dataset was downloaded from the MiBioGen database, and 196 known bacterial groups (9 phyla, 16 classes, 20 orders, 32 families, and 119 genera) were retained as exposure factors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were strongly correlated with exposure factors and independent of each other were selected as effective instrumental variables. A childhood asthma dataset with 3 025 patients and 135 449 controls was downloaded from the genome-wide association studies database as the outcome variable. Two-sample MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted, weighted median, MR-Egger, weighted model and simple model methods, respectively. The causal association between gut microbiota and childhood asthma was evaluated by odds ratio (OR). Sensitivity analysis was performed by leave-one-out method. Horizontal pleiotropy was tested by MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO global test, and Cochran’s Q test was used for heterogeneity. Results A total of 15 out of 196 gut microbiota groups were found to have a causal association (P<0.05) with the risk of childhood asthma, with a total of 181 SNPs included in the analysis. Inverse variance weighted analysis showed that Mollicutes [OR=1.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.10, 1.83), P=0.007], Escherichia-Shigella [OR=1.39, 95%CI (1.02, 1.90), P=0.036], Oxalobacter [OR=1.30, 95%CI (1.10, 1.54), P=0.002], Ruminococcaceae UCG-009 [OR=1.34, 95%CI (1.09, 1.64), P=0.006] and Tenericutes [OR=1.42, 95%CI (1.10, 1.83), P=0.007] were significantly positively correlated with childhood asthma. Actinobacteria [OR=0.76, 95%CI (0.58, 0.99), P=0.042], Bifidobacteriaceae [OR=0.76, 95%CI (0.58, 0.98), P=0.035], Eubacterium nodatum group [OR=0.81, 95%CI (0.70, 0.94), P=0.007], Bifidobacterales [OR=0.76, 95%CI (0.58, 0.98), P=0.035] and Actinobacteria [OR=0.74, 95%CI (0.56, 0.99), P=0.040] were negatively correlated with childhood asthma. In addition, the results of leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were stable, MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO global test showed no horizontal pleiotropy, and Cochran’s Q test showed no heterogeneity. Conclusions There is a causal relationship between gut microbiota and childhood asthma. Mollicutes, Escherichia-Shigella, Oxalobacter, Ruminococcaceae UCG-009 and Tenericutes may increase the risk of childhood asthma. Actinobacteria, Bifidobacteriaceae, Eubacterium nodatum group, Bifidobacterales and Actinobacteria can reduce the risk of childhood asthma.