A synbiotic formulation of Lactobacillus reuteri and inulin alleviates ASD-like behaviors in a mouse model: the mediating role of the gut-brain axis.
Chuanchuan WangWeixuan ChenYishan JiangXiao XiaoQianhui ZouJiarui LiangYu ZhaoQianxu WangTian YuanRui GuoXuebo LiuZhigang LiuPublished in: Food & function (2023)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a complex neurodevelopmental disorder marked by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors, may see symptom amelioration through gut microbiota modulation. This study investigates the effects of a synbiotic - specifically a probiotic amplified by prebiotic supplementation - on ASD-like mouse model's social deficiencies. This model was established via valproic acid injection into pregnant females. Post-weaning, male progeny received daily synbiotic treatment, a combination of Lactobacillus reuteri ( L. reuteri ) and inulin, for four weeks. Results indicated that the synbiotic rectified social impairments and attenuated inflammatory cytokine expressions in the brain. Moreover, synbiotic intervention protected gut barrier integrity and altered the gut microbiota composition, enhancing the butyrate-producing Bifidobacterium abundance. The synbiotic elevated metabolites such as butyrate and 3-hydroxybutyric acid (3-HB), alongside upregulated genes associated with 3-HB synthesis in the colon and liver, and brain receptors. Conclusively, the synbiotic combination of L. reuteri and inulin mitigated ASD-related social impairments, partially via their regulatory effect on the gut-brain axis.
Keyphrases
- autism spectrum disorder
- mouse model
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- resting state
- white matter
- intellectual disability
- healthcare
- mental health
- randomized controlled trial
- functional connectivity
- cerebral ischemia
- traumatic brain injury
- ms ms
- oxidative stress
- drug delivery
- intensive care unit
- multiple sclerosis
- high frequency
- blood brain barrier
- subarachnoid hemorrhage
- wastewater treatment
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- preterm birth