A Possible Link between Food and Mood: Dietary Impact on Gut Microbiota and Behavior in BALB/c Mice

Major depressive disorder is a debilitating disease in the Western World. A western diet high in saturated fat and refined sugar seems to play an important part in disease development. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating whether saturated fat or sucrose predisposes mice to develop behavioral symptoms which can be interpreted as depression-like, and the possible influence of the gut microbiota (GM) in this. Fourty-two mice were randomly assigned to one of three experimental diets, a high-fat, a high-sucrose or a control diet for thirteen weeks. Mice on high-fat diet gained more weight (p = 0.00009), displayed significantly less burrowing behavior than the control mice (p = 0.034), and showed decreased memory in the Morris water maze test compared to mice on high-sucrose diet (p = 0.031). Mice on high-sucrose diet burrowed less goal-oriented, showed greater latency to first bout of immobility in the forced swim test when compared to control mice (p = 0.039) and high-fat fed mice (p = 0.013), and displayed less anxiety than mice on high-fat diet in the triple test (p = 0.009). Behavioral changes were accompanied by a significant change in GM composition of mice fed a high-fat diet, while no difference between diet groups was observed for sucrose preferences, LPS, cholesterol, HbA1c, BDNF and the cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p70), IL-17 and TNF-α. A series of correlations was found between GM, behavior, BDNF and inflammatory mediators. In conclusion, the study shows that dietary fat and sucrose affect behavior, sometimes in opposite directions, and suggests a possible association between GM and behavior.     

Genotype Is a Stronger Determinant than Sex of the Mouse Gut Microbiota

The mammalian gut microbiota is considered to be determined mostly by diet, while the effect of genotype is still controversial. Here, we examined the effect of genotype on the gut microbiota in normal populations, exhibiting only natural polymorphisms, and evaluated this effect in comparison to the effect of sex. DNA fingerprinting approaches were used to profile the gut microbiota of eight different recombinant inbred mouse lines of the collaborative cross consortium, whose level of genetic diversity mimics that of a natural human population. Analyses based on automated ribosomal internal transcribed spacer analysis demonstrated significant higher similarity of the gut microbiota composition within mouse lines than between them or within same-gender groups. Thus, genetic background significantly impacts the microbiota composition and is a stronger determinant than gender. These findings imply that genetic polymorphisms help shape the intestinal microbiota of mammals and consequently could affect host susceptibility to diseases.     

Nucleotide-Oligomerization-Domain-2 Affects Commensal Gut Microbiota Composition and Intracerebral Immunopathology in Acute Toxoplasma gondii Induced Murine Ileitis

Background

Within one week following peroral high dose infection with Toxoplasma (T.) gondii, susceptible mice develop non-selflimiting acute ileitis due to an underlying Th1-type immunopathology. The role of the innate immune receptor nucleotide-oligomerization-domain-2 (NOD2) in mediating potential extra-intestinal inflammatory sequelae including the brain, however, has not been investigated so far.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Following peroral infection with 100 cysts of T. gondii strain ME49, NOD2^-/- mice displayed more severe ileitis and higher small intestinal parasitic loads as compared to wildtype (WT) mice. However, systemic (i.e. splenic) levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IFN-γ were lower in NOD2^-/- mice versus WT controls at day 7 p.i. Given that the immunopathological outcome might be influenced by the intestinal microbiota composition, which is shaped by NOD2, we performed a quantitative survey of main intestinal bacterial groups by 16S rRNA analysis. Interestingly, Bifidobacteria were virtually absent in NOD2^-/- but not WT mice, whereas differences in remaining bacterial species were rather subtle. Interestingly, more distinct intestinal inflammation was accompanied by higher bacterial translocation rates to extra-intestinal tissue sites such as liver, spleen, and kidneys in T. gondii infected NOD2^-/- mice. Strikingly, intracerebral inflammatory foci could be observed as early as seven days following T. gondii infection irrespective of the genotype of animals, whereas NOD2^-/- mice exhibited higher intracerebral parasitic loads, higher F4/80 positive macrophage and microglia numbers as well as higher IFN-γ mRNA expression levels as compared to WT control animals.

Conclusion/Significance

NOD2 signaling is involved in protection of mice from T. gondii induced acute ileitis. The parasite-induced Th1-type immunopathology at intestinal as well as extra-intestinal sites including the brain is modulated in a NOD2-dependent manner.     

近交系BALB/c小鼠及先天遗传性白内障突变型BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠的DNA指纹研究

采用人工合成的寡核苷酸探针(GATA)~4|分别与近交系小鼠BALB/c和经10年 30代培育而成的自发突变型近交系先天遗传性白内障BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠进行DNA分杂交,DNA指纹显示:(1)BALB/c小鼠个体之间以及BALB/cBk-C at小鼠个体之间没有差异;(2)BALB/c小鼠与BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠的DNA指纹在23-6kb之间的区域有差异。     

近交系BALB/c小鼠及先天遗传性白内障突变型BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠的DNA指纹研究

采用人工合成的寡核苷酸探针(GATA)~4|分别与近交系小鼠BALB/c和经10年 30代培育而成的自发突变型近交系先天遗传性白内障BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠进行DNA分杂交,DNA指纹显示:(1)BALB/c小鼠个体之间以及BALB/cBk-C at小鼠个体之间没有差异;(2)BALB/c小鼠与BALB/cBk-Cat小鼠的DNA指纹在23-6kb之间的区域有差异。     

Interplay Between Weight Loss and Gut Microbiota Composition in Overweight Adolescents

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of an obesity treatment program on the gut microbiota and body weight of overweight adolescents. Thirty‐six adolescents (13–15 years), classified as overweight according to the International Obesity Task Force BMI criteria, were submitted to a calorie‐restricted diet (10–40%) and increased physical activity (15–23 kcal/kg body weight/week) program over 10 weeks. Gut bacterial groups were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR before and after the intervention. A group of subjects (n = 23) experienced >4.0 kg weight loss and showed significant BMI (P = 0.030) and BMI z‐score (P = 0.035) reductions after the intervention, while the other group (n = 13) showed <2.0 kg weight loss. No significant differences in dietary intake were found between both groups. In the whole adolescent population, the intervention led to increased Bacteroides fragilis group (P = 0.001) and Lactobacillus group (P = 0.030) counts, and to decreased Clostridium coccoides group (P = 0.028), Bifidobacterium longum (P = 0.031), and Bifidobacterium adolescentis (P = 0.044) counts. In the high weight–loss group, B. fragilis group and Lactobacillus group counts also increased (P = 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively), whereas C. coccoides group and B. longum counts decreased (P = 0.001 and P = 0.044, respectively) after the intervention. Total bacteria, B. fragilis group and Clostridium leptum group, and Bifidobacterium catenulatum group counts were significantly higher (P < 0.001–0.036) while levels of C. coccoides group, Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium bifidum were significantly lower (P < 0.001–0.008) in the high weight–loss group than in the low weight–loss group before and after the intervention. These findings indicate that calorie restriction and physical activity have an impact on gut microbiota composition related to body weight loss, which also seem to be influenced by the individual's microbiota.     

BALB/c小鼠繁殖性能的观察及分析

为提高BALB／c小鼠受学率,对其生殖性能进行了研究。结果表明：性周期动情期的鉴定是提高小鼠受孕率的关键。光照、温度、噪音及湿度等因素对小鼠性周期影响很大。自然交配的受精卵质量远比超数排卵的好,但超数排卯仍不失为一种良好的获得更多卵子的辅助办法。     

Dynamic Modulation of the Gut Microbiota and Metabolome by Bacteriophages in a Mouse Model

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Probiotic Potential and Effects on Gut Microbiota Composition and Immunity of Indigenous Gut Lactobacilli in Apis cerana

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - This study aimed to investigate the probiotic potential of gut indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) originated from Apis cerana. Six Limosilactobacillus...     

Changes in Gut Microbiota by Chronic Stress Impair the Efficacy of Fluoxetine

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断乳后隔离对BALB/c小鼠的焦虑水平、社会行为及血清应激激素影响的性别差异（英文）

社会隔离(社会剥夺)对行为和神经内分泌的效应已在社会性水平较高的动物被广泛研究,但社会性水平较低的动物是否具有类似效应,且这种效应是否具有性别差异还不清楚。BALB/c品系小鼠具有较低的社会性,为了探讨上述问题,将断乳后的BALB/c小鼠单独或群居饲养6周至成体,用旷场实验和同性社会互作实验分别检测雄性和雌性的焦虑水平、运动性及社会行为,并用酶联免疫方法检测血清皮质酮(corticosterone,CORT)、去甲肾上腺素(norepinephrine,NE)和催产素(oxytocin,OT)的浓度。结果发现,与群居饲养相比,断乳后单独饲养增加了两性的社会探究行为,同时增加了雌性的焦虑水平及雄性的运动性和攻击行为,减少了雄性的身体接触。此外,单独饲养增加了雌性和雄性血清CORT水平及雌性NE和OT水平。这些结果表明断乳后隔离也能引起低社会性水平动物的行为和应激内分泌改变,且具有性别差异,这种差异可能与NE和OT两种激素释放的差异有关。     

Genetic Control of Obesity and Gut Microbiota Composition in Response to High-Fat,High-Sucrose Diet in Mice

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Highlights? Detailed analysis of diet-induced obesity in more than 100 inbred mouse strains ? Identification of 11 genetic loci associated with obesity and dietary responsiveness ? Significant overlap between mouse loci with human GWAS loci for obesity ? Strain-specific shifts in gut microbiota composition in response to dietary intervention     

BALB/c和C_(57)BL/6小鼠在基因功能检测中行为学的比较研究

目的　探索BALB c和C57BL 6两个品系在有关实验中的不同作用。方法　选取了结合随机测序与生物信息学分析设计合成的神经系统表达的一些基因的反义核酸 (anti sense)中的 2个 ,用Hamilton微量注射器将其分别定量注射到BALB c和C57BL 6小鼠的侧脑室 ,并分别设注射生理盐水和随机序列核酸 (Scramble)的对照组。每一反义核酸实验组和对照组各注射 1 0只小鼠 ,之后观察实验组与对照组在不同行为学实验中的差异。小鼠的行为学检测模型为 :考察日常代谢能力的摄食量 ,考察Locomotionactivity(移动 )的旷场行为 ,考察疼痛阈值的甩尾试验和考察记忆能力的步下法实验。结果　注射No 1基因的反义核酸后 ,两品系的实验组均在测试记忆力的步下法 (Step -downTest)试验中表现出记忆力减弱 ,且与对照组差异明显 ,说明No 1基因的功能确与记忆相关。注射No 2基因的反义核酸后 ,在测试移动能力的旷场行为 (OpenFieldBehavior)试验中 ,BALB c实验组跨格、直立行为均比对照组明显减少 ,说明受此反义核酸影响显著 ,而C57BL 6实验组则与对照组无大的差异。此外 ,在生理盐水对照组和随机序列核酸对照组的实验中以及其他行为学模型的实验中 ,两品系也存在着一定的差异。结论　用遗传背景不同的多品系进行相关实验 ,可进一步建立     

Regionally Distinct Alterations in the Composition of the Gut Microbiota in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

The aim of this study was to map the microbiota distribution along the gut and establish whether colon/faecal samples from diabetic rats adequately reflect the diabetic alterations in the microbiome. Streptozotocin-treated rats were used to model type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Segments of the duodenum, ileum and colon were dissected, and the microbiome of the lumen material was analysed by using next-generation DNA sequencing, from phylum to genus level. The intestinal luminal contents were compared between diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic and healthy control rats. No significant differences in bacterial composition were found in the luminal contents from the duodenum of the experimental animal groups, whereas distinct patterns were seen in the ileum and colon, depending on the history of the luminal samples. Ileal samples from diabetic rats exhibited particularly striking alterations, while the richness and diversity obscured some of the modifications in the colon. Characteristic rearrangements in microbiome composition and diversity were detected after insulin treatment, though the normal gut flora was not restored. The Proteobacteria displayed more pronounced shifts than those of the predominant phyla (Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes) in the rat model of T1D. Diabetes and insulin replacement affect the composition of the gut microbiota in different, gut region-specific manners. The luminal samples from the ileum appear more suitable for diagnostic purposes than the colon/faeces. The Proteobacteria should be at the focus of diagnosis and potential therapy. Klebsiella are recommended as biomarkers of T1D.     

用微卫星标记技术对国内BALB/c小鼠遗传质量的分析

为了解和掌握国内BALB/c小鼠遗传质量状况,验证微卫星标记技术在近交系小鼠遗传检测中应用的可靠性,应用所筛选的小鼠不同染色体上的14个微卫星基因座,通过PCR扩增对北京、上海、沈阳、广州、长春、重庆和哈尔滨7个地区11个厂家提供的BALB/c小鼠进行遗传质量分析.结果北京、上海、哈尔滨及广州地区7家BALB/c小鼠在14个基因座均呈现一条清晰条带,且群体间呈单态性.沈阳、广州、长春和重庆4个群体有8个基因座在群体内表现杂合或呈多态性;其中沈阳和长春分别在1个基因座上表现多态性和杂合;广州另一群体有4个基因座出现杂合或多态性;重庆群体有7个基因座表现为杂合或多态性,在D10Mit180基因座与上海群体比较呈现多态性.     

Marine Mammal Brucella Reference Strains Are Attenuated in a BALB/c Mouse Model

Brucellosis is a zoonosis of worldwide distribution with numerous animal host species. Since the novel isolation of Brucella spp. from marine mammals in 1994 the bacteria have been isolated from various marine mammal hosts. The marine mammal reference strains Brucella pinnipedialis 12890 (harbour seal, Phoca vitulina) and Brucella ceti 12891 (harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena) were included in genus Brucella in 2007, however, their pathogenicity in the mouse model is pending. Herein this is evaluated in BALB/c mice with Brucella suis 1330 as a control. Both marine mammal strains were attenuated, however, B. ceti was present at higher levels than B. pinnipedialis in blood, spleen and liver throughout the infection, in addition B. suis and B. ceti were isolated from brains and faeces at times with high levels of bacteraemia. In B. suis-infected mice serum cytokines peaked at day 7. In B. pinnipedialis-infected mice, levels were similar, but peaked predominantly at day 3 and an earlier peak in spleen weight likewise implied an earlier response. The inflammatory response induced pathology in the spleen and liver. In B. ceti-infected mice, most serum cytokine levels were comparable to those in uninfected mice, consistent with a limited inflammatory response, which also was indicated by restricted spleen and liver pathology. Specific immune responses against all three strains were detected in vitro after stimulation of splenocytes from infected mice with the homologous heat-killed brucellae. Antibody responses in vivo were also induced by the three brucellae. The immunological pattern of B. ceti in combination with persistence in organs and limited pathology has heretofore not been described for other brucellae. These two marine mammal wildtype strains show an attenuated pattern in BALB/c mice only previously described for Brucella neotomea.     

IL-2 Regulates SEB Induced Toxic Shock Syndrome in BALB/c Mice

Background

Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) is characterized by fever, rash, hypotension, constitutional symptoms, and multi-organ involvement and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins such as Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B (SEB). SEB binds to the MHC-IIα chain and is recognized by the TCRβ chain of the Vβ8 TCR⁺ T cells. The binding of SEB to Vβ chain results in rapid activation of T cells and production of inflammatory cytokines, such as Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-γ and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α which mediate TSS. Although IL2 was originally identified as the T cell growth factor and was proposed to contribute to T cell differentiation, its role in TSS remains unexplored.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Mice were injected with D-Gal (25 mg/mouse). One hour after D-Galactosamine (D-Gal) injection each mouse was injected with SEB (20 µg/mouse. Mice were then observed for 72 hrs and death was recorded at different times. We tested Interleukin-12, IFNγ, and IL-2 deficient mice (IL-2^−/−), but only the IL-2 deficient mice were resistant to SEB induced toxic shock syndrome. More importantly reconstitution of IL-2 in IL-2 deficient mice restored the shock. Interestingly, SEB induced IL-2 production from T cells was dependent on p38MAPK activation in macrophages as inhibition of it in macrophages significantly inhibited IL-2 production from T cells.

Conclusion

This study shows the importance of IL -2 in TSS which has not been previously explored and it also shows that regulating macrophages function can regulate T cells and TSS.     

短期低剂量饮酒后戒断改变雄性大鼠肠道微生物菌群并与焦虑样行为相关

长期规律性饮酒会改变肠道微生物菌群构成,并影响焦虑抑郁样行为.而短期低剂量饮酒后戒断是否对肠道菌群产生影响及其与酒精戒断后焦虑样行为是否有关,尚无系统研究.本研究以SD大鼠为研究对象,将30只雄性大鼠随机分为酒精处理组(Ethanol-C)、对照组(Ethanol-0)和酒精戒断组(Ethanol-2),每组各10只....