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The Effects of Inflammation, Infection and Antibiotics on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

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Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((MICENDO,volume 817))

Abstract

Animal studies have demonstrated that the early phase of enteric infection is accompanied by anxiety-like behavior, which is mediated through vagal ascending pathways. Chronic infection alters gut function, including motility and visceral sensitivity, as well as feeding patterns, anxiety and depression-like behavior. These effects are likely immune-mediated, and involve changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines and altered metabolism of kynurenine/tryptophan pathways. Clinical studies have shown that chronic gastrointestinal infections lead to malnutrition and stunting, resulting in impaired cognitive function. Accumulating evidence suggests that in addition to pathogens, the commensal gastrointestinal microbiota also influences gut function and host’s behavior. Both animal and clinical studies have demonstrated changes in behavior and brain chemistry after induction of intestinal dysbiosis by administration of antibiotics. This concept of microbiota-gut-brain interactions opens a new field of research aimed at developing microbial-directed therapies to treat a broad spectrum of human conditions, including chronic gastrointestinal and psychiatric disorders.

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Abbreviations

BDNF:

Brain derived neurotrophic factor

CGRP:

Calcitonin gene-related peptide

CNS:

Central nervous system

CRP:

C-reactive protein

DGGE:

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

ENS:

Enteric nervous system

GABA:

γ-Aminobutyric acid

GBA:

Gut brain axis

IBD:

Inflammatory bowel diseases

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

IDO:

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

IFN-γ:

Interferon-gamma

IQ:

Intelligence quotient

MPO:

Myeloperoxidase activity

NMDA:

N-methyl-d-aspartate

SCFA:

Short chain fatty acids

SP:

Substance P

TLR4:

Toll-like receptor 4

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, HSC 2E16, Hamilton, ON, Canada, L8S 4K1

    Premysl Bercik & Stephen M. Collins

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  1. Premysl Bercik
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  2. Stephen M. Collins
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Correspondence to Premysl Bercik .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Immunotherapeutics and Biotechnology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Abilene, Texas, USA

    Mark Lyte

  2. Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College, Cork, Cork, Ireland

    John F. Cryan

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Bercik, P., Collins, S.M. (2014). The Effects of Inflammation, Infection and Antibiotics on the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. In: Lyte, M., Cryan, J. (eds) Microbial Endocrinology: The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 817. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0897-4_13

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