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Gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function in subjects with cognitive impairments: a cross-sectional study

Y. Pei, Yan-Li Lu, Hui-Zi Li, Chengying Jiang, Lei Wang

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2023

118 participants · 52 citations

Abstract

Background Gut-brain axis might play an important role in cognitive impairments by various diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective To investigate the differences in gut microbial composition, intestinal barrier function, and systemic inflammation in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and normal control (NC) cases. Methods A total of 118 subjects (45 AD, 38 MCI, and 35 NC) were recruited. Cognitive function was assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA). Functional ability was assessed using Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL). The composition of gut microbiome was examined by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was used to predict functional transfer of gut microbiota. Gut barrier dysfunction was evaluated by measuring the levels of diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid (DA), and endotoxin (ET). The serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was used to indicate systemic inflammation. Results Compared with normal controls, patients with cognitive impairments (AD and MCI) had lower abundance of Dorea and higher levels of DAO, DA, and ET. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) results showed that the pathways related to glycan biosynthesis and metabolism increased in MCI patients, while the ones related to membrane transport decreased. The abundance of Bacteroides and…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 118 participants or records.

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