Focus On Prebiotic and Probiotic Preventive and Therapeutic Diet Approaches to Restore Gut Homeostasis in Rodent Models of Autism

Abstract

Although variable diet approaches shaped the gut bacterial abundance differently, they are considered the core factors in modulating gut microbiota throughdifferent mechanisms. Our aim in this study is to focus on the dietary candidates that could maintain a healthy gut microbiota by promoting commensal bacteria and reducingor inhibiting pathogens. In the current study, our objective is to demonstrate that a novel combined dietary approach of pre-and probiotic mixtures could be more effectivein inducing significant improvements in gut bacterial composition as a target to treat ASD. Luteolin complex veggie capsules (Swanson, USA), artichoke extract, as well asyogurt and Lactobacillus rhamnosus veggie capsules (5 billion CFU) (Swanson, USA), recently known as Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus were selected as prebiotics and probioticsrespectively and were screened for their protective and therapeutic effects on the gut microbiota. They were all administered orally over 5 weeks to propionic acid PPAtreatedrats as rodent models of Autism (groups 4-10). Their results were compared to the control animal group undertaking a standard diet (group 1) and to post and pre-PPA-treated groups (groups 2 and 3). Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were noted as the most dominant, non-fluctuating strains in response to all diet intakes, and theynegatively influenced the presence of Proteobacteria (Enterobacteriaceae), which decreased in almost all treated groups during weeks 2 and 3, and 4.Interestingly, Clostridiumsp. was observed to be high in number at week 1, mainly in the control group (1) and pre and post-PPA groups (2 and 3), but were inhibited in all treated groups over theextended treatment period. Bacteroidetes were positively increased with the high presence of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. Levels throughout the experiment in almostall animal groups. Thus, both prebiotics and probiotics study designed candidates (Luteolin complex capsules, artichoke extract, yogurt, and L. rhamnosus capsules) inhibitedClostridium sp., promoted commensal bacteria, specifically Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp., restored the normal gut bacterial niches and therefore could be consideredas potential promising dietary approaches for maintaining healthy physical and microbial gut strategies.