Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors
07:54

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors

Published on: May 10, 2015

14.2K

Gut microbiota is necessary for pair-housing to protect against post-stroke depression in mice

Su-Ting Jiang1, Yao-Huan Sun1, Ya Li2

  • 1Department of Medical Care, School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China.

Experimental Neurology
|May 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pair-housing improves post-stroke depression (PSD) by enhancing the gut-brain axis. Maintaining gut microbiota balance is crucial for this protective effect, as antibiotics reversed the benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication following stroke.
  • The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a role in mood regulation and neurological disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective role of pair-housing on post-stroke depression.
  • To elucidate the involvement of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in the therapeutic effects of pair-housing.

Main Methods:

  • A rat model of post-stroke depression was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and restraint stress.
  • Behavioral tests assessed depression and anxiety-like behaviors.
  • Gut microbiota composition, gut barrier function, inflammation markers, and hippocampal changes were analyzed.
  • Antibiotic treatment was used to assess the role of gut microbiota.

Main Results:

  • Pair-housing significantly improved depression-like behaviors and normalized gut microbiota richness and diversity in PSD mice.
  • Pair-housing reduced gut inflammation, decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), and increased IL-10.
  • Pair-housing mitigated neuroinflammation by reducing activated microglia and increasing Nissl's bodies in the hippocampus.
  • Antibiotic administration reversed the beneficial effects of pair-housing, indicating the critical role of gut microbiota.

Conclusions:

  • Pair-housing exerts a protective effect against post-stroke depression.
  • This effect is mediated through the modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, including improvements in gut barrier function and immune responses.
  • Gut microbiota homeostasis is essential for the therapeutic benefits of pair-housing in PSD.
Keywords:
Gut microbiotaGut-brain axisPair housingPost-stroke depressionSocial isolation

More Related Videos

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice05:28

A Chronic Immobilization Stress Protocol for Inducing Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: May 15, 2019

22.2K
Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice07:49

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice

Published on: June 2, 2022

3.2K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such as...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...