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Changes in Intestinal Motility and Gut Microbiota Composition in a Rat Stress Model
Takaaki Murakami1, Kazuhiro Kamada, Katsura Mizushima
1Department of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan.
Digestion
|January 5, 2017
Summary
Maternal separation stress in rats increased colorectal motility and altered gut microbiota composition. This stressor, combined with corticotropin-releasing hormone, significantly amplified fecal pellet output, highlighting stress
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits.
- Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions between visceral hypersensitivity, bowel dysfunction, and stress.
- Gut microbiota alterations are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to IBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal separation (MS) stress and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) administration on colorectal motility, structure, and microbiota in a rat model.
- To elucidate the role of stress in modulating gut function and microbial composition relevant to IBS.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rats underwent daily maternal separation (MS) or were left undisturbed (control) from postnatal day 2 to 14.
- At 8 weeks of age, rats received intravenous CRH or saline.
- Colorectal motility (fecal pellet count) and cecal microbiota composition were analyzed post-administration.
Main Results:
- CRH administration significantly increased fecal pellet count in MS rats compared to controls.
- Both MS and CRH administration induced significant alterations in gut microbiota composition.
- MS potentiated the effect of CRH on colorectal motility.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal stress, exemplified by MS, can lead to long-term alterations in gut motility and microbiota.
- CRH administration exacerbates stress-induced changes in colorectal function.
- These findings underscore the intricate relationship between stress, gut motility, and the microbiome in the context of functional gastrointestinal disorders.
