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Published on: September 19, 2019
Local myelin damage in the hippocampus fluctuates gut microbiome profile and memory
Mehmet Bostancıklıoğlu1, Davut Sinan Kaplan1, Ebru Temiz2
1Department of Physiology, Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Abstract:
The concept of the gut-brain axis has focused research on how gut dysbiosis affects myelin biology in the brain. However, this axis has not been tested to determine whether it conveys the effects of myelin damage on the gut microbiome profile. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how myelin biology is correlated with gut microbiome profile. The impact of local myelin damage in the hippocampus on gut microbiome profile was investigated with 16S rRNA metagenomic sequence and molecular analysis of myelin biology-associated proteins, and its reflections on memory performance were tested with behavioral tests. Local myelin damage in the hippocampus triggered severe gut dysbiosis, p < .05, changed memory performance, p < .05, and deviated emotional responses. Moreover, myelin treatment with clemastine improved gut dysbiosis and behavioral deviations. Our study provides animal-based evidence on the direct interaction between glial biology in the hippocampus and gut microbiome profile. This study proposes a framework for generating new hypotheses bridging different systems to the gut-brain axis.
Insights
Local myelin damage in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiome Research
- Gut-Brain Axis Studies
Background:
- The gut-brain axis traditionally explores how gut dysbiosis impacts brain myelin.
- The converse relationship, how myelin damage affects the gut microbiome, remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between hippocampal myelin biology and the gut microbiome profile.
- To determine if local myelin damage influences gut microbial composition and function.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing to analyze gut microbiome composition.
- Molecular analysis of myelin biology-associated proteins in the hippocampus.
- Behavioral tests to assess memory performance and emotional responses.
Main Results:
- Local myelin damage in the hippocampus induced significant gut dysbiosis (p < .05).
- Myelin damage altered memory performance and emotional responses (p < .05).
- Treatment with clemastine improved both gut dysbiosis and behavioral deficits.
Conclusions:
- This study provides animal evidence for a direct interaction between hippocampal glial biology and the gut microbiome.
- Findings suggest myelin health influences gut microbial ecosystems, extending the gut-brain axis concept.
- Proposes a framework for novel hypotheses connecting systemic and gut health via the gut-brain axis.
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