A new study has found that the ratio of certain bacteria in the gut microbiome can predict the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The findings, published in the journal PNAS, suggest that the proportion of Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia bacteria in the gut microbiome may be linked to MS severity.
MS is a chronic neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system. It is estimated that approximately 2.9 million people worldwide suffer from MS.
The severity of MS varies among patients, and some may experience acute flare-ups or worsening symptoms over time, a condition known as MS exacerbation.
There are numerous risk factors associated with MS, ranging from non-modifiable factors such as genetics to modifiable factors such as smoking, vitamin D deficiency, diet, and gut health.
Researchers have recently focused on environmental factors that may contribute to MS, including viral infections, sun exposure, and gut bacteria. They noted that the composition of gut bacteria in MS patients differs from that of healthy individuals.
The researchers emphasized the importance of understanding the exact differences in gut microbiome composition between MS patients and healthy individuals and investigated how these microbial changes might influence MS.
Distinct Gut Microbiome Composition in MS Patients
After analyzing the gut microbiomes of 45 MS patients, the researchers found that Blautia bacteria were more prevalent in their intestines. Previous studies suggest that Blautia bacteria play a role in maintaining gut health and reducing inflammation.
Additionally, the study confirmed that MS patients had lower levels of Prevotella bacteria, which has been linked to certain diseases when imbalanced. Based on this, the researchers hypothesized that the unique gut microbiome composition of MS patients may be related to the disease.
Notably, the low levels of Prevotella bacteria in MS patients indicate a loss of beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, suggesting that gut microbial imbalance may play a role in MS pathology.
Animal Experiments Confirm Gut Bacteria’s Role in MS
The research team conducted an animal study to investigate the link further. They divided mice into three groups and introduced Blautia, Prevotella, or Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (used as a control).
The results showed that mice injected with Blautia bacteria developed significantly more intestinal inflammation and exhibited more severe MS-like symptoms than those injected with other bacteria.
Additionally, before the onset of MS symptoms, mice in the Blautia group had lower levels of Bifidobacterium and higher levels of Akkermansia bacteria.
The researchers emphasized that the Blautia-injected mice showed the same pattern as MS patients—low Bifidobacterium and high Akkermansia levels—suggesting that gut microbiome composition could predict MS severity.
Gut Bacteria and Their Role in MS Progression
Both Blautia and Akkermansia bacteria act on different parts of mucin sugar chains. The researchers explained that Blautia bacteria consume specific parts of mucin, creating an inflammatory environment. This, in turn, allows Akkermansia bacteria to proliferate by utilizing the remaining mucin components, potentially triggering inflammation in the gut and brain.
Conversely, Bifidobacterium thrives in non-inflammatory environments but struggles to survive the inflammatory conditions associated with MS-like diseases. This suggests that the Bifidobacterium-to-Akkermansia ratio could be a potential biomarker for MS onset and severity.
When asked whether consuming probiotic yogurt or kefir containing Bifidobacterium could help manage MS symptoms or slow disease progression, the researchers responded that it was too early to draw definitive conclusions.
Unlike Prevotella, which has been shown to improve MS symptoms, they have not directly tested whether increasing Bifidobacterium levels in the gut could reduce MS severity or influence disease progression.
Furthermore, the researchers noted that autoimmune diseases like MS behave similarly to internal warfare, meaning the body’s environment may not always be conducive to the survival of beneficial bacteria. Even if Bifidobacterium is supplemented, it remains uncertain whether it can survive and positively affect the inflammatory environment associated with MS.
Thus, rather than focusing solely on probiotic supplementation, they advised maintaining a well-balanced gut microbiome through a plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle choices.
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