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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Change of gut microbiome structure in preterm infants with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy induced by apnea
Guang Chen1, Fengdan Li2, Jiwei Du2
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Taizhou University, No 1139 Shifu Road, Jiaojiang District, Taizhou 318000, China.
Insights
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in preterm infants significantly reduces gut microbial diversity. Specific bacteria like Klebsiella and Streptococcus increase, while Clostridium decreases, impacting neurotransmitter production.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neonatalogy
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Preterm birth leads to high mortality and morbidity.
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in preterm infants is a critical concern.
- Understanding HIE's impact on gut microbiota is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in gut microbiota development in preterm infants with HIE.
- To compare gut microbiota composition between term newborns, preterm infants without apnea, and preterm infants with apnea.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 89 stool samples from three infant groups: term newborns (NNG), preterm infants without apnea (PG), and preterm infants with apnea (PAG).
- Utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial analysis.
Main Results:
- Species richness and diversity were significantly lower in preterm infants (PG and PAG) compared to term newborns (NNG).
- Abundance of Klebsiella and Streptococcus increased, while Clostridium decreased in PAG compared to PG.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli increased in PG and PAG, contributing to dopamine and serotonin production. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium also increased, serving as GABA sources.
Conclusions:
- Apnea uniformly affects species richness and diversity in preterm infants.
- Further research is needed to determine if altered bacterial genera and species directly influence HIE development through neurotransmitter secretion.
Background:
Since a high incidence of mortality and morbidity is induced by preterm birth, it is important to understand how hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in preterm infants alters gut microbiota development.
Methods:
We analyzed 89 stools from 30 term newborns (NNG), 30 preterm infants without apnea (PG) and 29 preterm infants with definite diagnosis of apnea (PAG) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in this study.
Results:
The data showed that species richness and diversity in PG and PAG were significantly lower compared with NNG. This study investigated the difference in bacteria and relative abundance between NNG, PG and PAG. The abundance of Klebsiella and Streptococcus strains were markedly increased, while Clostridium was significantly decreased in PAG compared with PG. The most notable exceptions included Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, which were markedly increased in PG and PAG, and these provide the main bacterial source of dopamine and serotonin production. This study also revealed that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were markedly increased in PG and PAG, and these are the main source of GABA production for bacteria.
Conclusion:
The present study confirmed that apnea had a uniform effect on species richness and diversity. However, it cannot be established whether the abundance and difference of these bacterial genera and species directly affect the occurrence and development of preterm infants with HIE by secreting intestinal neurotransmitters.
