Changes in Rats' Gut Microbiota Composition Caused by Induced Chronic Myocardial Infarction Lead to Depression-Like
Qianwen Wang1, Xi Wang2,3,4, Yong Lv1
1Department of Anesthesiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Abstract:
Depression is common among patients who have chronic myocardial infarction (CMI). Despite their frequency, depression and CMI are bidirectional related conditions, each is a risk for the other, and they often co-exist, suggesting shared or interacting pathomechanisms. Accumulating data revealed the effects of gut microbiota in terms of regulating depression via the gut-brain axis. Thus, we investigated the role of gut microbial dysbiosis in CMI-induced depression-like behavior. Hierarchical cluster analysis of sucrose preference test (SPT) results was adopted to classify the CMI rats into depression-like behavior (CMI + Dep) or non-depression-like behavior (CMI + Non-Dep) phenotypes. First, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analysis showed both β-diversity and relative abundance of several gut bacteria significantly differed between the CMI + Dep and CMI + Non-Dep rats. Next, transplantation of fecal microbiota from CMI + Dep rats visibly altered the relative abundance of gut microbiota and also induced depression-like behavior in the antibiotics-treated pseudo-germ-free rats. In conclusion, these findings suggested that dysbiosis in gut microbial composition contributed to the onset of CMI-induced depression-like behavior and that exogenous regulation of gut microbiota composition could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CMI and related depression-like behavior.
Insights
Gut microbial dysbiosis contributes to depression-like behaviors in chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) patients. Modulating gut microbiota may offer a novel therapeutic approach for CMI and associated depression.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiology
Background:
- Depression and chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) are bidirectionally linked, suggesting shared underlying mechanisms.
- The gut-brain axis highlights the gut microbiota's role in regulating mood and behavior.
- Gut microbial dysbiosis is increasingly implicated in various health conditions, including mental health disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gut microbial dysbiosis in depression-like behavior associated with CMI.
- To identify specific gut bacterial alterations linked to CMI-induced depression.
Main Methods:
- Classified CMI rats into depression-like behavior (CMI + Dep) and non-depression-like behavior (CMI + Non-Dep) phenotypes using hierarchical cluster analysis of sucrose preference test (SPT) results.
- Analyzed gut microbial composition using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing.
- Performed fecal microbiota transplantation from CMI + Dep rats to pseudo-germ-free rats.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gut microbial β-diversity and the relative abundance of specific bacteria were observed between CMI + Dep and CMI + Non-Dep rats.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation from CMI + Dep rats altered gut microbiota composition in recipient rats.
- Transplanted microbiota induced depression-like behavior in recipient rats.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbial dysbiosis is a contributing factor to depression-like behavior in the context of CMI.
- Targeting and modulating gut microbiota composition presents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing CMI and related depression.
