Gut microbiota profiling of mice following total abdominal irradiation and Clostridium butyricum intervention by 16S rRNA sequencing

This study investigates radiation-induced bone loss following total abdominal irradiation (TAI) and explores Clostridium butyricumas a gut microbiota-targeted therapy to mitigate bone loss via immune regulation and microbiome restoration. The 16S rRNA sequencing analyzes fecal samples to: (1) characterize TAI-induced gut dysbiosis (e.g., reduced beneficial Lachnospiraceae/Muribaculaceae, increased pro-inflammatory Prevotellaceae), (2) validate C. butyricum's ability to restore microbial balance (e.g., enrichment of butyrate-producing Butyricicoccaceae), and (3) correlate microbiota shifts with immune dysregulation (Th17/Treg imbalance) and systemic inflammation driving bone loss.