The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a multidirectional communication chain between the central and enteric nervous systems that relates brain function to peripheral intestinal functions. Gut microbiome composition is influential within the axis because different bacteria produce different shortchain fatty acid markers. Short-chain fatty acids can cross the blood-brain barrier to induce neuroinflammation and likely affect neural development. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has no defined etiology, cure, or therapeutic treatment. Neuroinflammation, microbiome alterations, and social deficits have been demonstrated in ASD. It is tempting to speculate that neuroinflammation caused by peripheral inflammation or microbiome products can induce abnormal brain development that results in social behavior deficits. However, to contribute to the previous statement a suitable animal model must be used. The current study uses three popular animal models that demonstrate social behavior deficits to determine if short-chain fatty acid profiles are different between the two models as well as a wild-type control strain. Fecal samples were collected from the following mouse strains between 90 and 120 days of development: C57BL/6J control mice, BTBR genetic knockout mice, C57BL/6J injected with valproic acid, and C57BL/6J injected with polycytidylic acid. The last two models were pregnant dams injected during day 11 of gestation. Short-chain fatty acid profiles were obtained from fecal samples to determine differences between the models. Percentages were obtained for the following short-chain fatty acids: acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids. With this research, developmental cues that attribute to autism spectrum disorders may be better understood and, in the future, new preventative treatments may be advanced.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:asrf-1456 |
| Date | 12 April 2019 |
| Creators | Scott, Kyla, Beasley, Brooke, Sterrett, John, Gill, Wesley, Clark, Andrew, Chandley, Michelle |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | Appalachian Student Research Forum |
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