Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Changes in Mice With Acute Vestibular Deficit

Abstract

Vestibular deficit is a very common disorder in clinical practice and is characterized by vertigo, spontaneous nystagmus, and autonomic nervous symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and sweating. In addition, the comorbidity of vestibular deficit and anxiety has long been an integral component of the medical literature. Previous studies have suggested that the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity involved overlap of vestibular and cerebellar networks. Emerging evidence has shown that the microbiota–gut–brain axis plays a key role in the regulation of affective disorders. Thus, we hypothesized that the gut microbiota may be involved in the comorbidity of vestibular deficit and anxiety. To verify this, we constructed a unilateral labyrinthectomy mouse model to simulate vestibular deficit. Then, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to analyze the microbiome and metabolome of the cecal samples collected from mice in the unilateral labyrinthectomy, sham surgery, and control groups. Notably, unilateral labyrinthectomy shaped the composition of the mouse gut microbiome, resulting in increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, Odoribacter and Roseburia and decreased abundance of Prevotella and Parasutterella at the genus level. Tax4Fun functional prediction indicated a decrease in tryptophan metabolism in mice in the unilateral labyrinthectomy group. Moreover, functional correlation of changes in gut microbes and metabolites between different groups showed that the oleamide level was negatively correlated with Odoribacter abundance (r = -0.89, p = 0.0002). The butyric acid level was positively correlated with Parasutterella abundance (r = 0.85, p = 0.0010). The propanoate level was negatively correlated with Prevotella abundance (r = -0.81, p = 0.0020). The 20-HETE level was positively correlated with Parasutterella abundance (r = 0.84, p = 0.0013). The altered microbes and metabolites were closely related to the pathogenesis of affective disorders. Our results not only offer novel insights into the vestibular deficit comorbid with anxiety but also build an important basis for future research on this etiology.

Gut Microbiota Profiles in Myopes and Nonmyopes

“…To date, only one study has been conducted using a myopic animal model. 31 The results of this study showed that the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased while that of Actinobacteria increased significantly in myopic mice.…”

“… 64 In the myopia-induced mice study, Bifidobacterium was found to be a dominant genus in myopic mice. 31 Li et al 31 also found that Bifidobacterium was positively correlated with axial length in the myopic mice. These findings suggest that the possibility of Bifidobacterium playing a role in the mechanism of myopia warrants further investigation.…”

“… 59 According to a study in a myopia-induced animal model, the metabolic pathway that was most affected was associated with glutamine and glutamate metabolism, with an increase in GABA levels observed in myopic mice. 31 However, because this animal model study was conducted in mice, where the gut microbiota may differ from that of humans, future studies could investigate glutamate and glutamine levels in both myopic and NM human subjects. This finding is important, because GABA production is influenced by both factors.…”

Probiotic Bacillus licheniformis ZW3 Alleviates DSS-Induced Colitis and Enhances Gut Homeostasis

“…A similar change was obtained in the study of Zhang et al [ 40 ]. However, we observed an increased amount of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Odoribacter in the ZW3 group, which were reported to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as propionic, acetic, and butyric acids [ 41 ]. In addition, ZW3 significantly reduced the abundance of the pathogen Escherichia-Shigella ( p < 0.05), which was positively correlated with colitis severity.…”

Fructus gardeniae ameliorates anxiety-like behaviors induced by sleep deprivation via regulating hippocampal metabolomics and gut microbiota

“…As with Lactobacillus , Muribaculaceae also produce short-chain fatty acids that exert anti-inflammatory and neurotransmitter-regulating effects ( Smith et al., 2019 ). Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 has been associated with vestibular disorders and neuropathic pain combined with anxiety ( Li et al., 2022 ; Shen et al., 2022 ). Furthermore, in a mouse model of colitis, the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 was increased, suggesting that Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 may be associated with anxiety and inflammation( Shao et al., 2020 ).…”