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Updated: Sep 13, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
Gut dysbiosis influences the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis: A case-control study from North India
Gurkeerat Kaur1, Pallawi Kumari2, Priti Devi3
1Department of Neurology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.
Background And Objectives:
Alterations in gut microbiota have been linked to pathophysiology of immune-mediated diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was undertaken to characterise the gut microbiome profile in North Indian MS patients and to evaluate gut health using biomarkers like zonulin (intestinal permeability) and calprotectin (intestinal inflammation).
Methods:
84 Patients with relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS) of 18-75 years of age with an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score less than or equal to 5.5 and 106 healthy controls (HC) were recruited for the study. Gut microbiota was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Clinical, demographic, anthropometric, and dietary details were recorded. Sandwich ELISA was used to quantify serum zonulin and fecal calprotectin levels.
Results:
MS patients had lower alpha microbial diversity, while distinct beta diversity metrics were observed in MS and HC. Firmicutes was found to be the most abundant phylum in both groups with significant enrichment in MS than HC. In MS, significant depletion of commensal bacterial species like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Monoglobus pectinilyticus, and Bacillus species indicated gut dysbiosis. These alterations influenced the prevalence and functioning of metabolic pathways. Therefore, pathways involved in biosynthesis of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) were significantly enriched in MS than HC, while generation of short-chain fatty acids were predominant in HC. In addition, high zonulin, without an increase in calprotectin levels was observed in MS patients.
Conclusions:
RRMS patients in North India have a decreased microbial diversity in terms of depletion of commensals. The dominance of LCFA generating pathways in MS patients might have triggered the proinflammatory reactions, that are possibly linked to the development of a highly permeable/leaky gut in MS.
Insights
North Indian multiple sclerosis patients exhibit reduced gut microbial diversity and depletion of beneficial bacteria. This gut dysbiosis correlates with increased intestinal permeability, suggesting a link to disease pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gut microbiota alterations are implicated in immune-mediated diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Understanding the gut microbiome in specific populations, such as North Indian MS patients, is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the gut microbiome profile in North Indian MS patients.
- To evaluate gut health using biomarkers for intestinal permeability (zonulin) and inflammation (calprotectin).
Main Methods:
- Recruited 84 relapsing-remitting MS patients and 106 healthy controls.
- Sequenced gut microbiota using Illumina MiSeq and quantified serum zonulin and fecal calprotectin via ELISA.
- Collected clinical, demographic, anthropometric, and dietary data.
Main Results:
- MS patients showed lower alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity compared to controls.
- Significant depletion of commensal bacteria (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii) and enrichment of long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) pathways observed in MS.
- Elevated zonulin levels (indicating leaky gut) were found in MS patients, but calprotectin levels were not increased.
Conclusions:
- North Indian RRMS patients present with decreased microbial diversity and commensal depletion.
- Enriched LCFA pathways in MS patients may promote inflammation and contribute to increased intestinal permeability.
- Gut dysbiosis and leaky gut are potentially linked to MS pathophysiology.
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