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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Inducement and Evaluation of a Murine Model of Experimental Myopia
Published on: January 22, 2019
Gut microbiome and plasma metabolome alterations in myopic mice
Hao Li1,2,3,4,5, Shuyu Liu2,3,4,5, Keke Zhang2,3,4,5
1Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Myopia is one of the most common eye diseases leading to blurred distance vision. Inflammatory diseases could trigger or exacerbate myopic changes. Although gut microbiota bacteria are associated with various inflammatory diseases, little is known about its role in myopia.
Materials And Methods:
The mice were randomly divided into control and model groups, with the model group being attached-30D lens onto the eyes for 3 weeks. Then, mouse cecal contents and plasma were collected to analyze their intestinal microbiota and plasma metabolome.
Results:
We identified that the microbial composition differed considerably between the myopic and non-myopic mice, with the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum decreased obviously while that of Actinobacteria phylum was increased in myopia. Furthermore, Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium were positively correlated with axial lengths (ALs) of eyeballs while negatively correlated with refractive diopters. Untargeted metabolomic analysis identified 141 differentially expressed metabolites, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed considerable enrichment mainly in amino acid metabolism pathways. Notably, pathways involved glutamate metabolism including "Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism" and "Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism" was changed dramatically, which presented as the concentrations of L-Glutamate and L-Glutamine decreased obviously in myopia. Interestingly, microbiome dysbiosis and metabolites alternations in myopia have a disrupting gut barrier feature. We further demonstrated that the gut barrier function was impaired in myopic mice manifesting in decreased expression of Occludin, ZO-1 and increased permeation of FITC-dextran.
Discussion:
Myopic mice had obviously altered gut microbiome and metabolites profiles compared to non-myopic mice. The dysbiosis and plasma metabolomics shift in myopia had an interrupting gut barrier feature. Our study provides new insights into the possible role of the gut microbiota in myopia and reinforces the potential feasibility of microbiome-based therapies in myopia.
Insights
Myopia is linked to changes in gut bacteria and metabolites, affecting gut barrier function. These findings suggest the gut microbiome may play a role in myopia development and could be a target for future therapies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Myopia, a common cause of blurred vision, may be influenced by inflammatory conditions.
- The connection between gut microbiota and inflammatory diseases is known, but its role in myopia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota, plasma metabolome, and myopia in a mouse model.
- To explore the impact of myopia on gut barrier function.
Main Methods:
- Myopia was induced in mice using a -30D lens for 3 weeks.
- Gut microbiota composition and plasma metabolomics were analyzed.
- Gut barrier integrity was assessed by measuring protein expression (Occludin, ZO-1) and permeability (FITC-dextran).
Main Results:
- Myopic mice exhibited distinct gut microbial profiles, with decreased Firmicutes and increased Actinobacteria.
- Actinobacteria and Bifidobacterium correlated with axial length and refractive diopters.
- Metabolomic analysis revealed significant alterations in amino acid metabolism, particularly glutamate pathways, and impaired gut barrier function.
Conclusions:
- Myopic mice show significant alterations in gut microbiome and metabolome, correlating with impaired gut barrier function.
- These findings highlight a potential role for the gut microbiota in myopia.
- The gut microbiome represents a promising target for novel myopia therapies.
