Modulating Gut Microbiota: An Emerging Approach in the Prevention and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by demyelination of neurons of the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of the disorder is described as an autoimmune attack targeting the myelin sheath of nerve cell axons in the CNS. Available treatments only reduce the risk of relapse prolonging the remissions of neurological symptoms and halt the progression of the disorder. Among the new ways of targeting neurological disorders including MS there is modulation of gut microbiota since the link between gut microbiota has been rethought within the term gut-brain axis. Gut microbiota is known to help the body with essential functions such as vitamin production and positive regulation of immune, inflammatory, and metabolic pathways. High consumption of saturated fatty acids, gluten, salt, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, or antibiotics are responsible factors in causing gut dysbiosis. The latter can lead to dysregulation of immune and inflammatory pathways, which eventually results in leaky gut syndrome, systemic inflammation, autoimmune reactions, and increased susceptibility to infections. In modern medicine, scientists have mostly focused on the modulation of gut microbiota in the development of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for numerous disorders, with probiotics and prebiotics being the most widely studied in this regard. Several pieces of evidence from preclinical and clinical studies have supported the positive impact of probiotic and/or prebiotic intake on gut microbiota and MS. This review aims to link gut dysbiosis with the development/progression of MS, and the potential of modulation of gut microbiota in the therapeutics of the disease.

Inhibition of Epsilon Toxin-Producing Clostridium perfringens with a Juice-Based Probiotic Medical Food for Dietary Management of Multiple Sclerosis

“…Zoledziewska (22) reviewed the gut microbiota perspective for interventions in MS and reported the observed impact of the gut microbiome on MS pathophysiology to involve both quantitative and functional changes in composition, metabolism, gut permeability, homeostasis and modulation of the immune system. Ullah et al (17) likewise reviewed the link between gut dysbiosis and MS development/progression, along with modulation of the gut microbiota as an emerging approach in for prevention and treatment. Shahi et al…”

Multiple Sclerosis—Related Dietary and Nutritional Issues: An Updated Scoping Review with a Focus on Pediatrics

“…GM dysbiosis can also impact the onset and progression of neurological disorders such as MS by affecting metabolic pathways and interacting with host immunity [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…These biochemical factors, along with pro-inflammatory T-helper types and cytokine patterns, contribute to intestinal inflammation and impairment of the barrier function (leaky gut) [ 29 , 35 ].…”

“…Considering differences in patient selection methods, environmental factors, and dietary habits, certain species (e.g., Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium rectale, Corynebacterium, Fusobacteria, Bacteroides stercoris, and Bacteroides coprocola) [ 29 , 39 ] are generally reduced in MS patients compared to healthy controls in some studies. These species are responsible for decreased production of metabolites such as bacterial lipid 654, a Toll-like receptor 2 ligand derived from gastrointestinal and oral bacteria [ 40 , 41 , 42 ], and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate and propionic acid [ 14 , 43 , 44 ].…”

Alcohol Consumption in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Path through the Immune System

“…As alcohol consumption is possibly one of largest contributors to blood acetate levels, bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber by the intestinal microbiota also serves as a source of short-chain fatty acids including acetate [49]. For example, in scope of multiple sclerosis (MS), intake of pro-or pre-biotics was found to positively affect disease severity [50]. Low-dose alcohol feeding of mice in a preclinical model for MS altered the microbiota in sex-dependent manner protecting against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) [51].…”