HOST-MICROBIOME INTERACTIONS THROUGH PHENOLIC METABOLITES IN CHRONICALLY CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

The community structure and metabolic potential of gut microbiome has not been fully investigated especially in chronically critically ill patients with prolonged dependence on support systems after brain disorders. The brain can be a target for microbial metabolites in two ways: directly and indirectly by modulating inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the gut microbiota and certain microbial metabolites in the progression or reversibility of neurological disorders in chronically critically ill patients. Fecal and serum samples were collected from chronically critically ill patients (n=44) and profiled using 16S rRNA. Serum microbial and mitochondrial metabolites were measured by GC-MS and compared with the biomarkers and clinical neurological scores. The identified associations between specific bacterial taxa in fecal samples, serum levels of metabolites and neurological status suggest that impacts on specific members of the gut microbiota and their metabolism might be a promising tool for regulating neurological function.