Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study

Ischemic stroke (IS) can be caused by perturbations of the gut–brain axis. An imbalance in the gut microbiota (GM), or dysbiosis, may be linked to several IS risk factors and can influence the brain through the production of different metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indole and...

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Main Authors: Riccardo Marsiglia, Chiara Marangelo, Pamela Vernocchi, Matteo Scanu, Stefania Pane, Alessandra Russo, Eleonora Guanziroli, Federica Del Chierico, Massimiliano Valeriani, Franco Molteni, Lorenza Putignani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/1/37
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author Riccardo Marsiglia
Chiara Marangelo
Pamela Vernocchi
Matteo Scanu
Stefania Pane
Alessandra Russo
Eleonora Guanziroli
Federica Del Chierico
Massimiliano Valeriani
Franco Molteni
Lorenza Putignani
author_facet Riccardo Marsiglia
Chiara Marangelo
Pamela Vernocchi
Matteo Scanu
Stefania Pane
Alessandra Russo
Eleonora Guanziroli
Federica Del Chierico
Massimiliano Valeriani
Franco Molteni
Lorenza Putignani
author_sort Riccardo Marsiglia
collection DOAJ
description Ischemic stroke (IS) can be caused by perturbations of the gut–brain axis. An imbalance in the gut microbiota (GM), or dysbiosis, may be linked to several IS risk factors and can influence the brain through the production of different metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indole and derivatives. This study examines ecological changes in the GM and its metabolic activities after stroke. Fecal samples of 10 IS patients were compared to 21 healthy controls (CTRLs). GM ecological profiles were generated via 16S rRNA taxonomy as functional profiles using metabolomics analysis performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Additionally fecal zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, was measured using an enzyme-linked immuno assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses and correlated with clinical features and biochemical variables using correlation and nonparametric tests. Metabolomic analyses, carried out on a subject subgroup, revealed a high concentration of fecal metabolites, such as SCFAs, in the GM of IS patients, which was corroborated by the enrichment of SCFA-producing bacterial genera such as <i>Bacteroides</i>, Christensellaceae, <i>Alistipes</i> and <i>Akkermansia</i>. Conversely, indole and 3-methyl indole (skatole) decreased compared to a subset of six CTRLs. This study illustrates how IS might affect the gut microbial milieu and may suggest potential microbial and metabolic biomarkers of IS. Expanded populations of <i>Akkermansia</i> and enrichment of acetic acid could be considered potential disease phenotype signatures.
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spelling doaj.art-43a5e1b506a84f8bb3e320a5c85c1dc32024-01-29T14:05:43ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072023-12-011213710.3390/microorganisms12010037Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian StudyRiccardo Marsiglia0Chiara Marangelo1Pamela Vernocchi2Matteo Scanu3Stefania Pane4Alessandra Russo5Eleonora Guanziroli6Federica Del Chierico7Massimiliano Valeriani8Franco Molteni9Lorenza Putignani10Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyImmunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyImmunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyImmunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyUnit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyUnit of Microbiomics, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyVilla Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como, 23845 Costa Masnaga, ItalyImmunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases Research Area, Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyDevelopmental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, ItalyVilla Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital Como, 23845 Costa Masnaga, ItalyUnit of Microbiomics and Research Unit of Human Microbiome, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00146 Rome, ItalyIschemic stroke (IS) can be caused by perturbations of the gut–brain axis. An imbalance in the gut microbiota (GM), or dysbiosis, may be linked to several IS risk factors and can influence the brain through the production of different metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), indole and derivatives. This study examines ecological changes in the GM and its metabolic activities after stroke. Fecal samples of 10 IS patients were compared to 21 healthy controls (CTRLs). GM ecological profiles were generated via 16S rRNA taxonomy as functional profiles using metabolomics analysis performed with a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Additionally fecal zonulin, a marker of gut permeability, was measured using an enzyme-linked immuno assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses and correlated with clinical features and biochemical variables using correlation and nonparametric tests. Metabolomic analyses, carried out on a subject subgroup, revealed a high concentration of fecal metabolites, such as SCFAs, in the GM of IS patients, which was corroborated by the enrichment of SCFA-producing bacterial genera such as <i>Bacteroides</i>, Christensellaceae, <i>Alistipes</i> and <i>Akkermansia</i>. Conversely, indole and 3-methyl indole (skatole) decreased compared to a subset of six CTRLs. This study illustrates how IS might affect the gut microbial milieu and may suggest potential microbial and metabolic biomarkers of IS. Expanded populations of <i>Akkermansia</i> and enrichment of acetic acid could be considered potential disease phenotype signatures.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/1/37ischemic strokegut–brain axisgut microbiota ecologySCFAstryptophan derivativesfecal zonulin
spellingShingle Riccardo Marsiglia
Chiara Marangelo
Pamela Vernocchi
Matteo Scanu
Stefania Pane
Alessandra Russo
Eleonora Guanziroli
Federica Del Chierico
Massimiliano Valeriani
Franco Molteni
Lorenza Putignani
Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
Microorganisms
ischemic stroke
gut–brain axis
gut microbiota ecology
SCFAs
tryptophan derivatives
fecal zonulin
title Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
title_full Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
title_fullStr Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
title_full_unstemmed Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
title_short Gut Microbiota Ecological and Functional Modulation in Post-Stroke Recovery Patients: An Italian Study
title_sort gut microbiota ecological and functional modulation in post stroke recovery patients an italian study
topic ischemic stroke
gut–brain axis
gut microbiota ecology
SCFAs
tryptophan derivatives
fecal zonulin
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/1/37
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