Protective Effect of Tong-Qiao-Huo-Xue Decoction on Inflammatory Injury Caused by Intestinal Microbial Disorders in Stroke Rats

Abstract

Tong-Qiao-Huo-Xue Decoction (TQHXD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating cerebral ischemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TQHXD on intervening inflammatory response of ischemic stroke by regulating intestinal flora and repairing the intestinal barrier. A rat model of cerebral ischemia was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and behavioral scores were performed. Additionally, the high throughput 16S rDNA sequence of intestinal bacteria in fecal samples of rat was also carried out. Our results showed that TQHXD could change the main components of intestinal flora in stroke rats, and reduced the excessive increase of Bacteroidetes, and also regulated the abnormal changes of abundance of some flora as well. In addition, the intestinal epithelial barrier was damaged after stroke, allowing bacterial metabolites to enter the blood, while TQHXD had an improved effect on this phenomenon. Meanwhile, pathological changes in the brain tissue and infarct volume was also alleviated by TQHXD. Due to the disorder of the intestinal flora and the destruction of the barrier, the peripheral immune imbalance caused an inflammatory reaction. TQHXD improved the imbalance of T cells, and inhibited the inflammatory response. Finally, the therapeutic transplantation of fecal microbiota also improved the outcome of stroke in rats. Our presented results suggest that TQHXD may improve the gut microbiota disorder and its induced inflammatory response after stroke, which could be a new target and mechanism for the treatment of stroke.

Angong Niuhuang Pill ameliorates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice partly by restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis

“…Accumulating evidence highlights the central role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in preventing and treating stroke, implying that modulation of the gut microbiota is becoming a new target for anti-stroke therapies. In this study, we validated the therapeutic effects of ANP in a mouse model of acute ischemic stroke using multiple histopathological examinations and a neurological deficit score assessment in mice, and our findings were consistent with clinical data (Guo et al, 2014; Overgrowth of Bacteroidota (synonym Bacteroidetes) is a typical feature of gut microbiota dysbiosis after ischemic stroke, which has been demonstrated in monkeys (Chen et al, 2019c), mice (Singh et al, 2016), and rats (Zhang et al, 2020). A correlation between excessive Bacteroidota growth and increased plasma inflammatory cytokine levels was also revealed (Chen et al, 2019c), whereas the systemic inflammatory response that follows a stroke affects infarct volume and neurological function, implying a relationship between Bacteroidota and stroke.…”

“…Overgrowth of Bacteroidota (synonym Bacteroidetes ) is a typical feature of gut microbiota dysbiosis after ischemic stroke, which has been demonstrated in monkeys ( Chen et al, 2019c ), mice ( Singh et al, 2016 ), and rats ( Zhang et al, 2020 ). A correlation between excessive Bacteroidota growth and increased plasma inflammatory cytokine levels was also revealed ( Chen et al, 2019c ), whereas the systemic inflammatory response that follows a stroke affects infarct volume and neurological function, implying a relationship between Bacteroidota and stroke.…”

A Reasonable Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Processing with Wine through Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Bioactive Components: Dominant Effect on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model Rats

“…After one-week acclimatization, 24 rats were randomly divided into two groups: sham operation group ( n = 6) and MCAO model group ( n = 18). Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion as previously described [ 26 , 27 ]. Rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 1% pentobarbital sodium at a dose of 30 mg/kg and placed on the heating cushion to maintain body temperature at 37°C.…”

Artesunate Provides Neuroprotection against Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury <i>via</i> the TLR-4/NF-κB Pathway in Rats

“…A neurological test was performed after reperfusion for 24 h in accordance with the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin Advance Publication procedure described by Zhang et al 48,49) A researcher with no prior knowledge of the experimental groups conducted a relevant neurological test. There were 5 point levels for the neurological findings: Level 0 -normal neurological condition; Level 1 -inability to fully expand right forepaw; Level 2 -circling to right; Level 3 -falling to right; and Level Four -inability to walk spontaneously accompanied by depressed level of consciousness.…”