ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the composition of intestinal microbiota among the biliopancreatic limb, the Roux limb, and the common channel in normal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. MethodsSixteen SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group (Sham group) and RYGB group, each group enrolled 8 rats. Rats in Sham group underwent sham surgery of end to end anastomosis in situ after cutting off the stomach and jejunum, and rats in RYGB group underwent RYGB. Then quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method was used to detect the expression of total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lactobacillus mRNA at biliopancreatic limb, the Roux limb, and the common channel. At last the comparison of mRNA in 4 kinds of bacteria was performed. ResultsCompared with Sham group, the weight of rats in RYGB group was lower at 8 weeks after surgery (P<0.01). RT-PCR results showed that, expression levels of total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides mRNA at the Roux limb and the common channel in RYGB group were higher than corresponding site of rats in Sham group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at biliopancreatic limb between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Expression level of Lactobacillus mRNA at the Roux limb in RYGB group was higher than corresponding site of rats in Sham group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at biliopancreatic limb and the common channel between the 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionRYGB can significantly improve expression levels of the total bacteria, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides mRNA at Roux limb and the common channel, increase the level of Lactobacillus mRNA at Roux limb, while has no influence on biliopancreatic limb.
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affect patients' cognitive function and their mental health, imposing a huge burden on families and society. There are approximately 50 million epilepsy patients worldwide, with a prevalence rate of 4‰~7‰ in China, including about 6 million active epilepsy patients. Although scientists have been devoted to the research and exploration of epilepsy, the causes and pathological mechanisms of epilepsy are still poorly understood. The effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs is limited, and more effective methods is needed. With the deepening of microbiological research, many studies have found significant differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota of epilepsy patients compared to healthy individuals. Analysis of the intestinal microbiota of epilepsy patients through sequencing has shown significantly lower abundances of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes compared to the normal population. Many related clinical studies have found that adopting a ketogenic diet, taking probiotics orally, using antibiotics, or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can effectively control epilepsy by normalizing the intestinal microbiota. Various studies suggest a possible connection between the intestinal microbiota and epilepsy, recognizing that the intestinal microbiota can have an impact on the central nervous system. As a result, gut-brain axisis gradually recognized by scientists. Therefore, the role of the intestinal microbiota in epilepsy is gradually being recognized, and recent clinical studies have confirmed that supplementing probiotics can effectively reduce seizure frequency and improve comorbidities, which may become a new method for treating epilepsy.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common immune-mediated diseases, and the interaction between the intestinal microbiota and the patient’s immune system may play a role in the occurrence and development of RA. Methotrexate (MTX), as a first-line drug for the treatment of RA, can be directly and indirectly influenced by intestinal microbiota and its enzyme products to affect the bioavailability, clinical efficacy, and toxicity of the drug. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism by which intestinal microbiota affects RA and the impact of intestinal microbiota on the efficacy of MTX. This article provides a review of the mechanisms by which intestinal microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA, as well as the role and impact of intestinal microbiota in MTX drug metabolism and treatment response.