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Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 30, 2018
Temporal Changes of the Oral and Fecal Microbiota after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats by 16S rRNA Sequencing
Shujuan Wang1, Yanjie Shang1, Zhiyun Pi1
1Department of Forensic Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
Abstract:
A mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can increase the risk of neurodegenerative-related disease, and serious long-term outcomes are often overlooked. In forensic science, the accurate identification of mTBIs can directly affect the application of evidence in practice cases. Recent research has revealed that the oral cavity and fecal microbiota play a fundamental role in deeply interconnecting the gut and brain injury. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between the temporal changes of the oral cavity and fecal bacterial communities with damage identification and post-injury time estimation after mTBI. In this study, we analyzed the oral cavity and fecal bacterial communities in mTBI rats under 12 different post-injury times (sham, 0 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 2 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 10 d, and 14 d post-injury) using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. The sequence results revealed bacteria belonging to 36 phyla, 82 classes, 211 orders, 360 families, 751 genera, and 1398 species. Compared to the sham group, the relative abundance of the bacterial communities varied markedly in the post-injury groups. Importantly, our data demonstrated that Fusobacteria, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae might be the potential candidates for mTBI identification, and 2 h post-injury was a critical time point to explore the temporal changes of mTBI injury-time estimation. The results also provide new ideas for mTBI treatment in the clinic.
Insights
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) alters gut and oral bacteria, offering potential biomarkers for mTBI identification and time estimation. Specific bacterial families like Fusobacteria may aid in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome Research
- Neuroscience
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) poses risks for neurodegenerative diseases, with long-term consequences often underestimated.
- The gut-brain axis, involving oral and fecal microbiota, is increasingly recognized for its role in brain injury.
- Accurate mTBI identification is crucial in forensic science for case evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between temporal changes in oral and fecal bacterial communities and mTBI.
- To explore the potential of microbiota for mTBI damage identification and post-injury time estimation.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze oral and fecal bacterial communities in mTBI rats.
- Samples were collected at 12 different time points post-injury (from 0 h to 14 d) and compared to a sham group.
- Analysis focused on changes in bacterial community structure and abundance.
Main Results:
- Significant variations in bacterial community abundance were observed in mTBI rats compared to controls.
- Fusobacteria, Prevotellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Lactobacillaceae were identified as potential biomarkers for mTBI identification.
- Two hours post-injury emerged as a critical time point for estimating injury duration based on microbiota changes.
Conclusions:
- Oral and fecal microbiota composition changes dynamically after mTBI, offering diagnostic potential.
- Specific bacterial taxa may serve as reliable indicators for mTBI identification and temporal assessment.
- Findings suggest novel therapeutic avenues targeting the gut-brain axis for mTBI management.
