Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is associated with serum lipid profiles in male patients with chronic traumatic cervical spinal cord injury

Am J Transl Res, 2019 · DOI: · Published: August 30, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Genetics Gastroenterology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the gut microbiota composition in male patients with chronic traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI) compared to healthy males. The researchers analyzed fecal samples and serum biomarkers to understand the relationship between gut bacteria and lipid metabolism in these patients. The findings suggest that TCSCI is associated with gut dysbiosis and altered lipid profiles, highlighting a potential link between gut health and metabolic disorders after cervical SCI.

Study Duration

June 2017 and November 2017

Participants

20 male patients with TCSCI and 23 healthy males

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Patients with TCSCI had lower gut microbiota diversity and altered structural composition compared to healthy males.
2
Specific bacteria like Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia showed associations with lipid metabolism, with Firmicutes having a positive effect and Verrucomicrobia a negative effect.
3
Key gut bacteria, including Bacteroides, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Megamonas, and Prevotella, were linked to serum biomarkers of lipid metabolism in TCSCI patients.

Research Summary

This study evaluated neurogenic bowel management and gut microbiota changes in patients with TCSCI, exploring associations with serum biomarkers. Results indicated moderate NBD in TCSCI patients, lower gut microbiota diversity compared to healthy adults, and altered serum biomarkers related to lipid metabolism. The interdependency of the microbiota and lipid metabolism provides a basis for understanding lipid disorders after cervical SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Targets

Faecalibacterium, Megamonas, and Prevotella, correlated with lipid metabolism markers, may be suitable targets for TCSCI treatment.

Personalized Interventions

Understanding the gut microbiota-lipid metabolism link could lead to personalized interventions for managing metabolic disorders in TCSCI patients.

Diagnostic Biomarkers

Bacteroidaceae, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria could serve as potential distinguishing biomarkers for TCSCI.

Study Limitations

1
Individual differences in diet-associated flora could not be determined.
2
The study only included male patients with complete SCI, limiting generalizability to female patients or those with incomplete injuries.
3
Further genomic and metagenomic analyses are required to determine the precise functional changes caused by the SCI-mediated dysbiosis.

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