Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 12, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Repeated inflammatory dural stimulation-induced cephalic allodynia causes alteration of gut microbial composition in
Shuai Miao1,2, Wenjing Tang1, Heng Li3
1Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Fuxing Road 28, Haidian District, 100853, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Gut microbial dysbiosis and gut-brain axis dysfunction have been implicated in the pathophysiology of migraine. However, it is unclear whether migraine-related cephalic allodynia could induce the alteration of gut microbial composition.
Methods:
A classic migraine rat model was established by repeated dural infusions of inflammatory soup (IS). Periorbital mechanical threshold and nociception-related behaviors were used to evaluate IS-induced cephalic allodynia and the preventive effect of topiramate. The alterations in gut microbial composition and potential metabolic pathways were investigated based on the results of 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbiota-related short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan metabolites were detected and quantified by mass spectrometry analysis.
Results:
Repeated dural IS infusions induced cephalic allodynia (decreased mechanical threshold), migraine-like behaviors (increased immobility time and reduced moving distance), and microbial composition alteration, which were ameliorated by the treatment of topiramate. Decreased Lactobacillus was the most prominent biomarker genus in the IS-induced alteration of microbial composition. Additionally, IS infusions also enhanced metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota in butanoate, propanoate, and tryptophan, while the increased tryptophan-related metabolites indole-3-acetamide and tryptophol in feces could be the indicators.
Conclusions:
Inflammatory dural stimulation-induced cephalic allodynia causes the alterations of gut microbiota profile and microbial metabolic pathways.
Insights
Migraine pain (cephalic allodynia) alters gut microbes, decreasing Lactobacillus. This study shows dural inflammation impacts gut bacteria and their metabolic pathways, potentially offering new migraine treatment targets.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gut microbial dysbiosis and gut-brain axis dysfunction are linked to migraine pathophysiology.
- The impact of migraine-related cephalic allodynia on gut microbial composition remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether migraine-related cephalic allodynia induces alterations in gut microbial composition and metabolic pathways.
- To evaluate the preventive effect of topiramate on these changes.
Main Methods:
- Established a migraine rat model using repeated dural inflammatory soup (IS) infusions.
- Assessed cephalic allodynia and migraine-like behaviors.
- Analyzed gut microbial composition via 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantified metabolites using mass spectrometry.
Main Results:
- Dural IS infusions induced cephalic allodynia, migraine-like behaviors, and altered gut microbiota, with decreased Lactobacillus being a key biomarker.
- Topiramate treatment ameliorated these IS-induced changes.
- IS infusions enhanced gut microbial metabolic pathways, including butanoate, propanoate, and tryptophan metabolism, with increased indole-3-acetamide and tryptophol observed.
Conclusions:
- Inflammatory dural stimulation-induced cephalic allodynia leads to significant alterations in the gut microbiota profile.
- These changes involve modifications in microbial metabolic pathways, highlighting a potential gut-brain axis connection in migraine.
