Alterations in the fecal microbiota of methamphetamine users with bad sleep quality during abstinence
Zijing Deng1,2, Linzi Liu1,2, Wen Liu1,2
1Brain Function Research Section, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, PR China.
Background:
Methamphetamine (MA) abuse has resulted in a plethora of social issues. Sleep disturbance is a prominent issue about MA addiction, which serve as a risk factor for relapse, and the gut microbiota could play an important role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of sleep disturbances. Therefore, improving sleep quality can be beneficial for treating methamphetamine addiction, and interventions addressing the gut microbiota may represent a promising approach.
Method:
We recruited 70 MA users to investigate the associations between sleep quality and fecal microbiota by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), which was divided into MA-GS (PSQI score < 7, MA users with good sleep quality, n = 49) and MA-BS group (PSQI score ≥ 7, MA users with bad sleep quality, n = 21). In addition, we compared the gut microbiota between the MA-GS and healthy control (HC, n = 38) groups. 16S rRNA sequencing was applied to identify the gut bacteria.
Result:
The study revealed that the relative abundances of the Thermoanaerobacterales at the order level differed between the MA-GS and MA-BS groups. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the relative abundance of the genus Sutterella and daytime dysfunction. Furthermore, comparisons between MA users and HCs revealed differences in beta diversity and relative abundances of various bacterial taxa.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the study investigated alterations in the gut microbiota among MA users. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the genus Sutterella changes may be associated with daytime dysfunction, suggesting that the genus Sutterella may be a biomarker for bad sleep quality in MA users.
Insights
Methamphetamine addiction is linked to poor sleep and altered gut bacteria. The genus Sutterella may indicate poor sleep quality and daytime dysfunction in users.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Methamphetamine (MA) abuse causes significant social problems, with sleep disturbance being a key factor in addiction and relapse.
- The gut microbiota is implicated in the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
- Improving sleep quality is crucial for treating MA addiction, and gut microbiota interventions offer a promising avenue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sleep quality and fecal microbiota composition in methamphetamine (MA) users.
- To compare gut microbiota profiles between MA users with good sleep quality (MA-GS) and bad sleep quality (MA-BS).
- To explore differences in gut microbiota between MA users and healthy controls (HC).
Main Methods:
- Recruited 70 MA users and 38 healthy controls (HC).
- Assessed sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), categorizing MA users into MA-GS (PSQI < 7) and MA-BS (PSQI ≥ 7) groups.
- Analyzed fecal microbiota composition using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in the relative abundance of Thermoanaerobacterales were observed between MA-GS and MA-BS groups.
- A positive correlation was identified between the abundance of the genus Sutterella and daytime dysfunction.
- Distinct differences in gut microbiota beta diversity and specific bacterial taxa were found between MA users and HCs.
Conclusions:
- Methamphetamine use is associated with significant alterations in gut microbiota composition.
- The genus Sutterella shows potential as a biomarker for poor sleep quality and associated daytime dysfunction in MA users.
- Targeting gut microbiota may offer novel therapeutic strategies for managing sleep disturbances in methamphetamine addiction.
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