Oral probiotic therapy improves motor function in a rodent model of sensorimotor stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of disability with limited therapeutic options.
• The gut-microbiota-brain axis is implicated in neurological conditions, with pre-stroke probiotic use showing benefits.
• The efficacy of post-stroke probiotic administration remains uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of post-stroke oral probiotic therapy on sensorimotor function recovery.
• To investigate changes in gut microbiota composition following probiotic treatment.
• To determine if probiotic therapy affects lesion volume or neuroinflammation markers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the endothelin-1 (ET-1) induced mouse model of sensorimotor stroke.
• Administered oral probiotics (Cerebiome®, containing B. longum R0175 and L. helveticus R0052) post-stroke.
• Assessed motor behavior, gut microbiota composition, lesion volume, and immune cell infiltration (CD8+/Iba1+).

Main Results:

• Post-stroke probiotic therapy significantly improved functional sensorimotor recovery.
• Gut microbiota composition was altered by oral probiotic administration.
• No significant changes were observed in lesion volume or CD8+/Iba1+ cell counts in the injured brain tissue.

Conclusions:

• Oral probiotic administration following ischemic stroke can enhance sensorimotor functional recovery.
• Probiotics modulate the gut microbiota in the context of stroke.
• Therapeutic benefits may be independent of direct effects on lesion size or neuroinflammation.