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Investigating Alterations in Caecum Microbiota After Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice
Published on: September 19, 2019
Treatment of preterm brain injury via gut-microbiota-metabolite-brain axis
Ling Li1, Tianjing Liu1, Yongyan Shi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Insights
Gut microbiota influences preterm infant brain development and function. Optimizing gut bacteria may offer novel therapies for neurological deficits and reduce long-term sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Preterm infant brain injury disrupts neural networks, causing neurological deficits.
- Gut microbiota (GM) and metabolites impact central nervous system (CNS) programming and function.
- Understanding the gut-brain axis is crucial for addressing preterm infant neurodevelopmental issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of GM-mediated effects on neural development and function.
- To explore immune, endocrine, neural, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) pathways.
- To summarize therapeutic strategies for preterm brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of 150 articles.
- Synthesis of direct and indirect GM-CNS interaction mechanisms.
- Discussion of therapeutic interventions and their challenges.
Main Results:
- GM influences the nervous system through various direct and indirect pathways.
- Therapeutic interventions include probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, diet, and fecal transplants.
- Potential benefits and challenges of GM-based treatments are identified.
Conclusions:
- The microbiota-gut-brain axis offers novel therapeutic avenues for preterm infants.
- Optimizing early gut microbiota colonization may promote brain development.
- This approach could reduce long-term neurological sequelae in preterm infants.
Background:
Brain injury in preterm infants potentially disrupts critical structural and functional connective networks in the brain. It is a major cause of neurological sequelae and developmental deficits in preterm infants. Interesting findings suggest that the gut microbiota (GM) and their metabolites contribute to the programming of the central nervous system (CNS) during developmental stages and may exert structural and functional effects throughout the lifespan.
Aim:
To summarize the existing knowledge of the potential mechanisms related to immune, endocrine, neural, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) mediated by GM and its metabolites in neural development and function.
Methods:
We review the recent literature and included 150 articles to summarize the mechanisms through which GM and their metabolites work on the nervous system. Potential health benefits and challenges of relevant treatments are also discussed.
Results:
This review discusses the direct and indirect ways through which the GM may act on the nervous system. Treatment of preterm brain injury with GM or related derivatives, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal transplants are also included.
Conclusion:
This review summarizes mechanisms underlying microbiota-gut-brain axis and novel therapeutic opportunities for neurological sequelae in preterm infants. Optimizing the initial colonization and microbiota development in preterm infants may represent a novel therapy to promote brain development and reduce long-term sequelae.
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