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Ciprofloxacin-induced microbiota dysbiosis triggers seizure susceptibility through the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Qihang Zou1,2, Yaqian Zhang1, Shangnan Zou1,3

  • 1Clinical Neuroscience Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|April 16, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Gut microbiota disruption increases seizure risk by causing inflammation and damaging barriers. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can restore gut health, reduce inflammation, and decrease seizure susceptibility in rats.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Epilepsy is associated with inflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
  • Disruption of gut microbiota by ciprofloxacin may heighten seizure susceptibility.
  • This study explores the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for fluoroquinolone-induced seizures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the link between gut microbiota dysbiosis and seizure susceptibility.
  • Elucidate the role of intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in neuroinflammation.
  • Evaluate the efficacy of FMT in mitigating seizure susceptibility and associated pathologies.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a rat model with ciprofloxacin-induced gut dysbiosis.
  • Administered FMT or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to assess therapeutic effects.
  • Assessed seizure susceptibility via pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) challenge and analyzed gut/BBB integrity, neuroinflammation, and cortical gene expression.

Main Results:

  • Ciprofloxacin-induced dysbiosis increased seizure susceptibility, gut and BBB dysfunction, and neuroinflammation.
  • Reduced microbial diversity and depletion of specific taxa correlated with intestinal barrier defects.
  • FMT treatment restored microbial diversity, improved barrier function, reduced neuroinflammation, and decreased seizure susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to seizure susceptibility via neuroinflammatory pathways.
  • This research highlights the gut-brain axis's role in fluoroquinolone-induced seizures.
  • Fecal microbiota transplantation shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for managing seizures linked to gut dysbiosis.
Keywords:
gut-brain axisintestinal and blood-brain barriersmicrobiota dysbiosisneuroinflammationseizure susceptibility

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