Fecal microbiota transplantation reconstructs the gut microbiota of septic mice and protects the intestinal mucosal barrier

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract has long been hypothesized to play an integral role in the pathophysiology of sepsis, and gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis may be the key factor. Previous studies has confirmed that microbiome is markedly altered in critical illness. We aimed to confirm the existence of gut microbiota imbalance in the early stage of sepsis, observe the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on sepsis, and explore whether FMT can reconstruct the GM of septic mice and restore its protective function on the intestinal mucosal barrier. Through the study of flora, mucus layer, tight junction, immune barrier, and short-chain fatty acid changes in septic mice and fecal microbiota transplanted mice, we found that GM imbalance exists early in sepsis. FMT can improve morbidity and effectively reduce mortality in septic mice. After the fecal bacteria were transplanted, the abundance and diversity of the gut flora were restored, and the microbial characteristics of the donors changed. FMT can effectively reduce epithelial cell apoptosis, improve the composition of the mucus layer, upregulate the expression of tight junction proteins, and reduce intestinal permeability and the inflammatory response, thus protecting the intestinal barrier function. After FMT, Lachnospiraceae contributes the most to intestinal protection through enhancement of the L-lysine fermentation pathway, resulting in the production of acetate and butanoate, and may be the key bacteria for short-chain fatty acid metabolism and FMT success.