Treatment with Bacterial Biologics Promotes Healthy Aging and Traumatic Brain Injury Responses in Adult Drosophila, Modeling the Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation Responses.
- 2021-04-14
- Cells 10(4)
- PubMed: 33919883
- DOI: 10.3390/cells10040900
Study Design
- Population
- adult Drosophila
- Methods
- adult Drosophila were given an inactive bacteriologic (IAB; proprietary lysate preparation of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, ReseT®) and a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG); oral administration and different IAB dosages were used, including exposure after traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Animal Study
Drosophila are widely used to study neural development, immunity, and inflammatory pathways and processes associated with the gut-brain axis. Here, we examine the response of adult Drosophila given an inactive bacteriologic (IAB; proprietary lysate preparation of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, ReseT®) and a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG). In vitro, the IAB activates a subset of conserved Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD) receptors in human cells, and oral administration slowed the age-related decline of adult Drosophila locomotor behaviors. On average, IAB-treated flies lived significantly longer (+23%) and had lower neural aggregate profiles. Different IAB dosages also improved locomotor function and longevity profiles after traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure. Mechanistically, short-term IAB and LGG treatment altered baseline nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κβ) signaling profiles in neural and abdominal tissues. Overall, at select dosages, IAB and LGG exposure has a positive impact on Drosophila longevity, neural aging, and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related responses, with IAB showing greater benefit. This includes severe TBI (sTBI) responses, where IAB treatment was protective and LGG increased acute mortality profiles. This work shows that Drosophila are an effective model for testing bacterial-based biologics, that IAB and probiotic treatments promote neuronal health and influence inflammatory pathways in neural and immune tissues. Therefore, targeted IAB treatments are a novel strategy to promote the appropriate function of the gut-brain axis.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Dose | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Altered NF-kappaB Signaling | Neutral | Small | View sourceshort-term IAB and LGG treatment altered baseline nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κβ) signaling profiles in neural and abdominal tissues |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Improved Longevity | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourceOn average, IAB-treated flies lived significantly longer (+23%) |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Improved Motor Function | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourceoral administration slowed the age-related decline of adult Drosophila locomotor behaviors |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Improved Response to Traumatic Brain Injury | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourceDifferent IAB dosages also improved locomotor function and longevity profiles after traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Reduced Neural Aggregation | Beneficial | Small | View sourceand had lower neural aggregate profiles |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | — | Reduced Severe Traumatic Brain Injury | Beneficial | Moderate | View sourcewhere IAB treatment was protective and LGG increased acute mortality profiles |