New pathway ameliorating ulcerative colitis: focus on Roseburia intestinalis and the gut–brain axis

Abstract

Background: The community of gut microbes is a key factor controlling the intestinal barrier that communicates with the nervous system through the gut–brain axis. Based on our clinical data showing that populations of Roseburia intestinalis are dramatically decreased in the gut of patients with ulcerative colitis, we studied the efficacy of a strain belonging to this species in the context of colitis and stress using animal models. Methods: Dextran sulfate sodium was used to induce colitis in rats, which then underwent an enema with R. intestinalis as a treatment. The disease activity index, fecal changes and body weight of rats were recorded to evaluate colitis, while histological and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out to examine colon function, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to evaluate the gut microbiota change. Behavioral assays and immunohistochemical staining of brain were performed to assess the effect of R. intestinalis on the gut–brain axis. Results: Colitis-related symptoms in rats were significantly relieved after R. intestinalis enema, and the stool traits and colon length of rats were significantly recovered after treatment. The gut epithelial integrity and intestinal barrier were restored in treated rats, as evidenced by the higher expression of Zo-1 in colon tissues, accompanied by the restoration of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, depressive-like behaviors of rats were reduced after treatment, and laboratory experiments on neuronal cells also showed that IL-6, IL-7 and 5-HT were downregulated by R. intestinalis treatment in both serum and brain tissue, while Iba-1 expression was reduced in treated rats. Conclusions: The administration of R. intestinalis contributes to restoration of the gut microbiota, promoting colon repair and the recovery of gastrointestinal function. These alterations are accompanied by the relief of depressive-like behaviors through a process modulated by the neuronal network and the regulation of inflammation by the gut–brain axis.

Gut Metagenome as a Potential Diagnostic and Predictive Biomarker in Slow Transit Constipation

“…The altered abundances of this species are a cause or a consequence of constipation that warrant further investigation. In the recent years, the role of Roseburia intestinalis has been revealed in more and more studies ( 21 , 22 ). The administration of Roseburia intestinalis contributes to restoration of the gut microbiota, promoting colon repair, and the recovery of gastrointestinal function.…”

Roseburia intestinalis: A Beneficial Gut Organism From the Discoveries in Genus and Species

“…More and more evidence had accumulated to support the potential role the gut–brain axis plays in digestive disorders. For example, R. intestinalis may function in the modulation of the gut–brain axis by reducing the level of colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), inhibiting the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and alleviating the depression-like behaviors in colitis model mice ( Xu et al., 2021 ). These pieces of evidence provide a new perspective on the therapeutic role of R. intestinalis in inflammatory bowel diseases.…”

“…Therefore, gut bacteria such as Roseburia exert a potential impact on the pathogenetic process of nervous system diseases ( Table 2 ). An investigation by Prof. Wei demonstrated that R. intestinalis influenced the 5-HT level and GFAP expression in colonic tissue, alleviating the depression-like behavior in mice ( Xu et al., 2021 ). This piece of evidence supports the role of Roseburia in neural disorders.…”

Neurotransmitter and Intestinal Interactions: Focus on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…Changes in stress hormones and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels occurred, but it seems that more neurotransmitter systems or regulators may be the basis for microbial changes in host behavior, and there was a lack of insight into these pathways at the time ( 9 , 10 ). Moreover, our previous studies also focused on the topic of the “microbiota-gut-brain axis”, and an open-label clinical study proved that children with autism spectrum disorders had a significant improvement in gastrointestinal as well as autistic symptoms after being given fresh feces by colonoscopy and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules ( 11 ).Additionally, an animal study showed that ulcerative colitis (UC) animal models exhibited depressive symptoms, and rectal administration of the probiotic Roseburia intestinal is helpful in colon repair and the recovery of gastrointestinal function by restoring the gut microbiota ( 12 ), These alterations in gastrointestinal malfunctions are also followed by the alleviation of depressive-like behaviors through the gut-brain axis.…”