Gut microbes affect muscle atrophy

a new intestinal-brain link in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease, by scientists at Harvard University in the United States.
researchers found that in mice with common ALS gene mutations, changing the gut microbiome with antibiotics or feces transplants could prevent or improve disease symptoms. On May 13, the paper was published in Nature. These findings provide a possible explanation for the fact that only some individuals carrying mutated genes develop ALS, and suggest a possible treatment based on the microbiome.
our study focused on the most common mutated genes in ALS patients. We have a startling finding that the same mouse model -- with the same genes -- has essentially different health outcomes in different laboratory facilities. We tracked the different outcomes of different gut microbiomes in these mice, explaining why some people who carried the mutation developed ALS, while others did not. Kevin Eggan, a professor of stem cell and regenerative biology at Harvard University, said.
researchers initially studied alS gene mutations in a Harvard lab by modeling mice. The mice's immune response was too active, including inflammation of the nervous system and other parts of the body, leading to shorter lifespans. For a more detailed experiment, the researchers also developed mouse models at the Broad Institute's laboratory facility. Surprisingly, although the mice had the same genetic mutations, their health outcomes were very different.
many inflammatory traits have been observed in mice at Harvard University, but not in Bode's mice," he said. More strikingly, Bode's mice lived to old age. Aaron Burberry, a postdoctoral student at Eggan Labs and lead author of the study, said.
to find out why the mice differed, the researchers studied their gut microbes. Using DNA sequencing to identify gut bacteria, the researchers found specific microorganisms that were present in Harvard mice, but not in Bode mice, although the experimental conditions were standardized among different experimental mice.
, the researchers contacted other research groups, as many different groups studied the same genetic mouse model and observed different results. "We collected microbial samples from different laboratories and sequenced them. In research institutions hundreds of miles apart, very similar gut microbes are associated with the disease levels of these animals. Burberry said.
, the researchers tested ways to change the microbiome and improved the results in the Harvard mice. By using antibiotics or transplanting bode mice's feces to Harvard mice, the researchers succeeded in reducing inflammation. By studying the genetic and environmental connections between ALS, the researchers found an important intestinal-brain link.
gut microbiome may affect the severity of the disease - whether individuals with genetic mutations develop ALS, associated frontal lobe dementia, or have no symptoms at all, and may be a potential target for treatment. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of ALS, including how the most common ALS gene mutations cause nerve inflammation. (Source: Tang Erdu, China Science Journal)
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