Gut Microbiome variation in patients with early-stage mild-to-moderate intracerebral hemorrhage: A pilot study

Haixiao Jiang1, Wei Zeng2, Xiaoli Zhang3

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.

Abstract

Insights

Gut microbiota alterations are linked to early-stage mild-to-moderate intracerebral hemorrhage (emICH). This study found disrupted gut bacteria in emICH patients, suggesting microbiota modulation as a potential adjunctive treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Neurology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes significant global morbidity and mortality.
  • Emerging research highlights the connection between gut microbiota and stroke incidence.
  • Understanding these gut-brain axis interactions is crucial for novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota composition and early-stage mild-to-moderate ICH (emICH).
  • To identify specific microbial biomarkers for emICH detection.
  • To explore the potential of microbiota modulation as an adjunctive therapy for emICH.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to analyze fecal samples from 50 emICH patients and 50 healthy controls.
  • Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed.
  • Biomarker panels were identified for distinguishing between emICH patients and healthy individuals.

Main Results:

  • emICH patients exhibited reduced gut microbial diversity and uniformity compared to controls.
  • A significant increase in pro-inflammatory Euryarchaeota and a decrease in beneficial Bacteroidetes were observed in emICH patients.
  • A biomarker panel (WAL_1855D, Methanobrevibacter, Streptococcus, Bacteroides, Coprococcus, Lachnospira) achieved an AUC of 0.845 for emICH detection. Perturbed KEGG pathways included inflammation and metabolic processes. emICH patients showed a higher prevalence of Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota in emICH patients is dysbiotic, with increased pro-inflammatory microbes and dysregulated inflammatory and metabolic pathways.
  • Microbiota modulation presents a promising avenue for adjunctive treatment strategies in emICH.
  • Targeting the gut microbiome could offer new therapeutic approaches for improving outcomes in emICH patients.

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