مقالات پذیرفته شده در هشتمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
Therapeutic Potential of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Treating Escherichia coli Infections and Enhancing Gut Health in Mice
Therapeutic Potential of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Treating Escherichia coli Infections and Enhancing Gut Health in Mice
Mona Arefi,1,*
1. Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Introduction: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring stool from a healthy donor into a patient's gastrointestinal tract for therapeutic reasons.
Recent studies highlight the importance of the intestinal microbiome in animal health, influencing not just digestion but also immune function, behavior, and overall physiology. Disruptions in gut microbiota are linked to various disorders, including gastrointestinal and mental diseases. The intestinal epithelium plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health by preventing pathogen invasion, and the microbiome can influence barrier function.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown promise as a therapy for gut dysbiosis-related conditions, demonstrating safety and efficacy in treating various gastrointestinal issues, particularly inflammatory bowel disease. FMT can restore microbial diversity, aiding in defense against pathogens and improving symptoms in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Parkinson’s disease.
Despite its effectiveness against Clostridioides difficile infection, FMT's role in treating other pathogens like E. coli is less understood, especially amidst rising antibiotic resistance. Given these challenges, researching alternative therapies is essential. The present study aims to explore how FMT may regulate intestinal barrier injury caused by E. coli by analyzing microbiome interactions using an infected mouse model, providing insights into FMT as a potential treatment for gut microbial imbalances.
Methods: In this study, The scientists assessed the impact of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on gut functions during Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection using a mouse model. Additionally, we examined the related variables associated with the infection, including body weight, mortality, intestinal histopathology, and changes in the expression of tight junction proteins (TJPs).
Results: FMT significantly reduced weight loss and mortality, leading to the restoration of intestinal villi and improved histological scores for jejunal tissue damage (p<0.05). The effect of FMT in alleviating the reduction of intestinal tight junction proteins (TJPs) was also confirmed through immunohistochemistry and mRNA expression analysis. Additionally, harmful bacteria from the phylum Proteobacteria, including families Enterobacteriaceae and Tannerellaceae, as well as genera such as Escherichia-Shigella, Sphingomonas, and Collinsella, were found to be significantly increased, while beneficial bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes, specifically Lactobacillaceae and the genus Lactobacillus, decreased in the guts of infected mice. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between clinical symptoms and FMT treatment regarding gut microbiota modulation. Beta diversity analysis showed that the gut microbial communities in the non-infected and FMT groups were similar. The FMT group exhibited an improvement in intestinal microbiota, characterized by a notable increase in beneficial microorganisms alongside a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella, Acinetobacter, and other taxa.
Conclusion: The current study highlighted the therapeutic benefits of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in addressing E. coli infections in mice. Given these positive effects on intestinal health, there has been considerable interest in exploring the interactions between microbiota and the host to modulate the intestinal microbiome. Notably, we discovered that FMT may help restore the integrity of intestinal villi and barrier function compromised during infection. This suggests that FMT could be a viable treatment for gut infections and disorders related to gastric function. Accordingly, we propose that FMT therapy may foster a beneficial host-microbiome relationship, providing deeper insights into pathogens linked to intestinal diseases.