Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
08:37
Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
839
Ethanol exacerbates post-burn neuroinflammation and gut-brain barrier dysfunction which are associated with
Rachel H McMahan1, Mara R Evans1, Kevin M Najarro1
1Department of Surgery, Division of GI, Trauma and Endocrine Surgery, Alcohol Research Program, and Burn Research Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|May 1, 2026
Summary
Acute alcohol intoxication before burn injury worsens neuroinflammation and disrupts the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Ethanol exposure alters the gut microbiome, contributing to these negative effects in burn patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acute alcohol intoxication is linked to increased complications and inflammation after burn injuries.
- The specific effects of ethanol on neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity post-burn are not well understood.
- Ethanol's impact on the gut microbiome and its role in exacerbating neuroinflammation require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of acute ethanol exposure prior to burn injury on neuroinflammation and BBB integrity.
- To determine if ethanol exposure disrupts intestinal and cerebrovascular barriers and alters the gut microbiome.
- To elucidate the mechanisms linking ethanol, burn injury, and neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- A murine model was used, administering acute ethanol 30 minutes before burn injury.
- Brain tissue was analyzed for inflammatory markers, microglial activation, and BBB permeability (albumin accumulation).
- Intestinal barrier function was assessed via bacterial translocation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels; fecal microbiome composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Ethanol exposure prior to burn injury significantly elevated brain expression of inflammatory genes (Ccl2, Tnfa, S100a8) and enhanced microglial activation.
- Ethanol exacerbated intestinal barrier dysfunction, evidenced by increased bacterial translocation and LPS levels.
- BBB permeability was significantly increased in ethanol-exposed mice, with a notable expansion of Escherichia species in the gut microbiome correlating with brain inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol exposure before burn injury potentiates neuroinflammation and disrupts BBB integrity.
- Gut microbial dysbiosis is associated with ethanol-induced neuroinflammation following burn injury.
- The gut-brain axis plays a critical role in the heightened neuroinflammation observed in intoxicated burn patients, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:22Gut-Brain Axis
222
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...
222
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
53
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic...
53
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
1.4K
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
1.4K
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
1.7K
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.7K
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
35
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
35
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
233
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...
233