Microbiome manipulations

Post-stroke microbiota changes have been assessed in collaboration with the Bioactive Food Compounds and Health Laboratory. Specifically, the TNRR Laboratory determined that microbial diversity and evenness were reduced as early as 1 day post-stroke, while 3 days post-stroke microbial diversity negatively correlated with lesion volume¹. Moreover, beta-diversity analysis revealed trending longitudinal differences, with the most significant changes in microbial patterns observed between pre-stroke and 3 days post-stroke. Abundance of the Proteobacteria was significantly increased, while Firmicutes decreased at 3 days post-stroke, compared to pre-stroke populations. Abundance of the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus was reduced at 3 days post-stroke. These adjustments in the gut microbiome have been found to influence ischemic brain injury by altering immune homeostasis and neuroprotective cytokine production^2,3. 

By day 5 post-stroke, the microbial pattern returned to similar values as pre-stroke, thus suggesting the plasticity of gut microbiome in the subacute stage post-stroke. Collectively, these findings provide a basis for characterizing gut microbial changes post-stroke, which can be used to discern stroke pathologies as well as provide potential therapeutic targets.

TBI-induced microbiota changes have been assessed via manipulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Previous studies have manipulated the MGBA by introducing specific probiotic bacteria which proved to be an effective TBI treatment in rodents. Specifically, treatment of TBI rodents with Clostridium butyricum and Lactobacillusacidophilus led to the establishment of microbiome profiles that correlated with decreased TBI lesion volumes, blood brain barrier permeability, and improved functional recovery^4-6. To further explore these potential therapeutic targets, the TNRR Laboratory is seeking to replicate these findings in our pig TBI model.