Another study on gut microbiota abundance and short-chain fatty acid production in ALS

[powerpadman]

Nature.com just posted this article examining the complex Interplay between gut microbiota abundance and short-chain fatty acid production in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients shortly after onset of disease.

This study investigated differences in the enteral microbiome of early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients compared to healthy individuals, focusing on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as potential mediators of host metabolism. The research included 28 volunteers (16 ALS, 12 controls) and found no significant effect of ALS on alpha diversity, but ALS patients showed higher abundances of certain bacteria phyla and species.

Key findings include:

1. ALS patients had higher abundances of Fusobacteria and Acidobacteria phyla.
2. Spinal ALS showed increased Fusobacteria and Tenericutes compared to bulbar ALS.
3. ALS patients exhibited increased abundances of specific bacterial species, including Enterobacter, Clostridium, and Veillonella, while showing decreased abundances of others like Prevotella and Lactobacillus.
4. Correlations between bacterial species varied between ALS patients and healthy individuals, as well as among ALS subtypes.
5. No significant differences in SCFA concentrations were found, but spinal ALS samples showed a trend towards decreased propionate content.
6. Relationships between SCFAs and phyla colonization differed by disease status.

The study suggests distinct enteral microbiome characteristics in ALS patients, though the implications remain unclear. The researchers emphasize the need for further research to determine if these differences are causative or consequential and to explore their potential as diagnostic or therapeutic targets. The study also highlights the heterogeneity of microbiome constraints in ALS and the need for more research into ALS and SCFA metabolism.

Overall, this research contributes to the growing body of evidence linking gut microbiome alterations to ALS pathogenesis and underscores the complex interplay between microbial communities and host physiology in neurodegenerative diseases.