[Modulating gut microbiota improves neurological function and depressive symptoms in rats with post-stroke...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Context:

• Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication following ischemic stroke.
• The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in brain function and behavior.
• Alterations in gut microbiota composition are implicated in the pathophysiology of PSD.

Purpose:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of modulating gut microbiota for improving neurological deficits and depressive symptoms in a rat model of PSD.
• To assess the impact of gut microbiota modulation on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and specific gut-derived metabolites.

Summary:

• Adult rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce stroke, followed by modeling of post-stroke depression (PSD).
• PSD rats exhibited increased neurological impairment, depressive behaviors, elevated plasma trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)/hydrogen sulfide (H2S) ratio, and compromised BBB integrity (decreased occludin and claudin-5, increased IgG).
• Treatments including fecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotics (rifaximin), probiotics (Lactobacilli), and fluoxetine significantly ameliorated neurological and depressive symptoms, reduced the TMAO/H2S ratio, and restored BBB integrity.

Impact:

• Gut microbiota modulation represents a promising therapeutic strategy for managing post-stroke depression.
• The TMAO/H2S ratio serves as a potential biomarker for PSD severity and treatment response.
• Restoring gut microbiota balance can improve neurological outcomes and enhance blood-brain barrier function after stroke.