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Published on: November 20, 2015
Pathogenesis from the microbial-gut-brain axis in white matter injury in preterm infants: A review
Yuqian Wang1, Jing Zhu1, Ning Zou1
1Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.
Insights
The gut microbiota influences white matter injury (WMI) in premature infants via the microbial-gut-brain axis. Optimizing gut bacteria may improve neurodevelopmental outcomes and prevent WMI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Premature infants face high risks of white matter injury (WMI), a leading cause of cerebral palsy and neurobehavioral disorders.
- The gut microbiota's role in premature WMI pathogenesis is gaining attention.
- Early microbial colonization impacts brain development and nervous system outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of gut microbiota-brain communication in premature infants.
- To explore how the microbial-gut-brain axis influences white matter injury.
- To provide insights for preventing and treating WMI in premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the microbial-gut-brain axis.
- Analysis of research on gut microbiota, metabolites, and their impact on brain development.
- Examination of the role of cytokines and oxidative stress in WMI.
Main Results:
- The microbial-gut-brain axis modulates WMI in premature infants through microbial metabolites.
- Gut microbes regulate cytokines and mediate oxidative stress, influencing WMI.
- Microbiota deficiencies can exacerbate WMI, highlighting the potential of probiotics and prebiotics.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota plays a significant role in premature infant white matter injury.
- Interventions targeting the gut microbiota, such as probiotics and prebiotics, show promise for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Further research into the microbial-gut-brain axis is crucial for WMI prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
White matter injury (WMI) in premature infants is a unique form of brain injury and a common cause of chronic nervous system conditions such as cerebral palsy and neurobehavioral disorders. Very preterm infants who survive are at high risk of WMI. With developing research regarding the pathogenesis of premature WMI, the role of gut microbiota has attracted increasing attention in this field. As premature infants are a special group, early microbial colonization of the microbiome can affect brain development, and microbiome optimization can improve outcomes regarding nervous system development. As an important communication medium between the gut and the nervous system, intestinal microbes form a microbial-gut-brain axis. This axis affects the occurrence of WMI in premature infants via the metabolites produced by intestinal microorganisms, while also regulating cytokines and mediating oxidative stress. At the same time, deficiencies in the microbiota and their metabolites may exacerbate WMI in premature infants. This confers promise for probiotics and prebiotics as treatments for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. Therefore, this review attempted to elucidate the potential mechanisms behind the communication of gut bacteria and the immature brain through the gut-brain axis, so as to provide a reference for further prevention and treatment of premature WMI.
