Work

Assessing the impact of triiodothyronine treatment on the lung microbiome of mice with pulmonary fibrosis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PF) exacerbation. IPF primarily affects older individuals and can lead to respiratory failure. This study aimed to assess the effects of triiodothyronine (T3) treatment on the lung microbiome of mice with PF. Methods Mice were perfused with bleomycin (BLM) to establish a PF model. Using a randomized design, 40 female specific pathogen-free (SPF) C57BL6/N mice were divided into four groups: saline, saline + T3, BLM, and BLM + T3. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to detect histological morphology, and 16S rRNA microbial sequencing was used to identify lung bacteria. An Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay was used to measure total T3 (TT3), free T3 (FT3, and reverse T3 (rT3) levels in the peripheral serum. Results T3 treatment ameliorated BLM-induced lung fibrosis and structural damage. The microbiome experienced a decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, and Actinomycetes and an increase in the abundance of Firmicutes when exposed to BLM; however, T3 treatment reversed this effect. The four groups showed no significant difference in alpha and beta microbiome diversity (P > 0.05), and the effect of T3 treatment and BLM treatment on lung microbial alpha diversity was in the opposite direction, which was of positive significance; beta-diversity analysis suggested a relatively stable microbiome). Serum concentrations of TT3 and FT3 were positively correlated with microbiome abundance (P < 0.05). Administration of T3 enhanced the microbiota in PF without affecting the diversity and biological functions of the microbiome (P > 0.05). Conclusion T3 treatment had a positive effect on the lung microbiome of mice with PF. This finding partially supports the use of T3 as a potential drug for the treatment of PF.

Source: BMC Pulmonary Medicine

DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03214-3

Authors: Xiaoshu Guo, Kai Xu, Qiwen Wang, Zongyuan Han, Guoying Yu

Institutions: Changzhi Medical College, Henan Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890