Abnormal prostate microbiota composition is associated with experimental autoimmune prostatitis complicated with...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Urology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Prostatitis and depression share common pathogenic roles for microbiota.
• Prostate microbiota changes in prostatitis with depression remain unexplored.
• This study investigates prostate microbiota alterations in a rat model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore changes in prostate microbiota composition in rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) complicated by depression.
• To identify potential microbial biomarkers associated with comorbid prostatitis and depression.

Main Methods:

• Established a rat model of EAP with depression using prostate antigen immunization and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).
• Confirmed model validity through inflammatory factor detection (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and behavioral tests.
• Analyzed prostate microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics.

Main Results:

• The EAP/CUMS model exhibited elevated inflammatory markers and depressive behaviors.
• Significant alterations in prostate microbiota richness, evenness, and composition were observed.
• Identified 46 taxonomic biomarkers and linked EAP/depression to specific metabolic pathways regulated by genera like *Helicobacter* and *Dorea*.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal prostate microbiota is present in experimental autoimmune prostatitis complicated with depression.
• These findings offer insights into the gut-prostate-brain axis in comorbid conditions.
• The study may inform therapeutic strategies for treating prostatitis and depression concurrently.