Data Sheet 1_Fecal or bacterial transplantation in mice transfer environment-induced brain plasticity and associated behavioral changes.pdf

IntroductionRecent studies have shown that lifestyle factors, including diet and environmental stimuli, significantly alter the composition of gut microbiota and the metabolites they produce. Specifically, housing mice in an enriched environment (EE) enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids, which in part mediate the effects of EE on brain plasticity. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the gut microbial composition of EE-exposed mice could be transplanted into mice housed in a standard environment (SE) to replicate the environmental effects on behavior, gene expression and neurogenesis.
MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we transplanted either a specific bacterial mixture or fecal material from EE-housed mice into SE-housed mice.
ResultsOur data show that both bacterial and fecal transplants reduce anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Additionally, we observed increased expression of hippocampal neurotrophins and enhanced neurogenesis.
DiscussionThese findings support the idea that gut microbiota influence brain functions, including anxiety-like behavior. Further research is necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Moreover, the results suggest that fecal material transplantation (FMT) from individuals with healthy lifestyles may represent a promising strategy for the treatment of mood disorders.

引言 近期研究表明，包括饮食与环境刺激在内的生活方式因素，可显著改变肠道菌群（gut microbiota）的组成及其产生的代谢产物。具体而言，在丰富环境（enriched environment, EE）中饲养小鼠，可促进短链脂肪酸（short-chain fatty acids）的生成，而该物质可部分介导丰富环境对大脑可塑性的作用。本研究旨在验证下述假说：将暴露于丰富环境的小鼠的肠道菌群移植至标准环境（standard environment, SE）饲养的小鼠体内，可复刻环境因素对小鼠行为、基因表达及神经发生的影响。
实验方法 为验证该假说，本研究将从丰富环境饲养小鼠体内分离的特定细菌混合物或粪便菌群，移植至标准环境饲养的小鼠体内。
实验结果 本研究数据显示，细菌移植与粪便菌群移植均可降低小鼠的焦虑样行为。此外，我们还观察到小鼠海马体神经营养因子的表达水平升高，且神经发生过程得到增强。
讨论 上述研究结果支持肠道菌群可影响包括焦虑样行为在内的大脑功能这一观点。后续仍需开展进一步研究以阐明其潜在作用机制。此外，本研究结果提示，从健康生活方式人群中获取的粪便菌群移植（fecal material transplantation, FMT），或可成为治疗情绪障碍的潜在有效策略。