Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice
07:49

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.4K

Gut microbes shape microglia and cognitive function during malnutrition

Kylynda C Bauer1,2, Elisa M York3, Mihai S Cirstea1,2

  • 1Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Glia
|January 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Early life malnutrition and gut microbe exposure impair cognitive function. Supplementing with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and antioxidants can improve brain health and cognitive deficits.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Early life malnutrition has lasting cognitive consequences, but the mechanisms involving gut microbes are unclear.
  • Gut-brain axis disruptions are implicated in malnutrition-associated neurodevelopmental issues.
  • Microglia play key roles in neuroimmune responses and brain plasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of malnutrition combined with fecal-oral contamination on cognitive function and brain pathology in a murine model.
  • To explore the role of gut microbiota and associated changes in microglia.
  • To identify potential therapeutic targets for cognitive impairment in malnutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a murine model (MAL-BG) with malnutrition and iterative fecal commensal exposure, compared to malnourished (MAL) and healthy (CON) controls.
  • Assessed spatial memory, learning plasticity, microglial morphology, and transcriptional profiles.
  • Performed metabolomic profiling of the cortex and analyzed cytokine and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity.
  • Investigated the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/antioxidant (PAO) diet supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Malnourished mice (MAL-BG) exhibited impaired spatial memory and learning plasticity.
  • Chronic fecal-oral exposures altered microglial morphology and transcriptional profiles, promoting phagocytic features.
  • These microglial changes occurred independently of significant inflammation or BBB disruption.
  • Cortical metabolomics revealed altered PUFA profiles and systemic lipoxidative stress in MAL-BG mice.
  • PAO diet supplementation mitigated cognitive deficits in the MAL-BG model.

Conclusions:

  • Early life malnutrition combined with gut microbial exposure negatively impacts cognitive function via altered microglial responses and PUFA metabolism.
  • Gut microbiota-brain axis dysregulation in malnutrition involves lipoxidative stress and altered PUFA profiles.
  • Targeting PUFA metabolism, potentially through dietary interventions like PAO supplementation, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for malnutrition-induced cognitive impairment.
Keywords:
behaviorgut-brain axismalnutritionmicrobiomemicroglianeurometabolism

More Related Videos

Mitochondrial Preparation from Microglia for Glycan Analysis06:40

Mitochondrial Preparation from Microglia for Glycan Analysis

Published on: May 30, 2025

361
An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota07:15

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota

Published on: July 31, 2019

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Microbial Nutrition01:28

Microbial Nutrition

Organisms exhibit remarkable metabolic diversity, categorized based on how they acquire energy and carbon. These strategies enable survival in various ecological niches and are essential for maintaining energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.Energy and Carbon SourcesOrganisms are classified as phototrophs or chemotrophs based on energy acquisition. Phototrophs use light as their energy source, while chemotrophs rely on oxidizing chemical compounds. Further differentiation arises...
483
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
162
Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health01:05

Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health

The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
470