Work

Effects of C-Terminal Domain of the Heavy Chain of Tetanus Toxin on Gut Microbiota in a Rat Model of Depression.

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is now well established that imbalance or dysbiosis in the gut microbiota (GM) plays a significant role in neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative disorders. Recently it has been reported that the C-terminal domain of the heavy chain of tetanus toxin (Hc-TeTx) may not only act as a neuroprotectant but may also exhibit antidepressant effects in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, a putative animal model of treatment-resistant depression. The aim of this study was to determine whether Hc-TeTx may also interact with GM implicated in mood regulation in these rats. METHODS: Adult male WKY rats (5/group) were injected intramuscularly (IM) with 60 μg/kg Hc-TeTx or saline. Twenty-four hours after the injection, the animals were sacrificed, intestinal stools were collected and stored at -80°C. DNA was extracted from the samples for 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis using 16S Metagenomics application. RESULTS: were reduced by a minimum of 2-fold by Hc-TeTx treatment. CONCLUSION: ) a novel mechanism of beneficial effects of Hc-TeTx may involve normalization of dysbiosis.

Source: PubMed

Authors: Bruk Getachew, Yousef Tizabi

Institution: Howard University

Language: English

Topic: Gut microbiota and health

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Award: Novel Interventions in Alcohol Induced Depression