The influence of microbiota to neurotoxicity of general anesthesia for developing brain

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17786
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55050:Anesthesiology-related
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Chaki Tomohiro 札幌医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30758701)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 幼若脳麻酔薬神経毒性 / 腸内細菌叢 / 脳腸相関 / 学習障害 / BDNF / エピジェネティックス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The significant alternation of gut microbiota was induced by 2.1% sevoflurane 2-hour exposure during post-natal days 7-13. Sevoflurane exposure decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum, Ruminococcus family. On the other hand, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy rats significantly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum, Ruminococcus family. Moreover, FMT increased histone acetylation and the expression of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus and improved spatial learning ability. Our results suggest that developmental anesthetic neurotoxicity has a solid relationship to gut microbiota, and the modulation of gut microbiota has the potency to prevent developmental anesthetic neurotoxicity.

Free Research Field

小児麻酔

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果から、小児麻酔において重大な課題として認識されている幼若脳麻酔薬神経毒性に対し、脳腸相関というアプローチから予防法の可能性を示すことができた。今後、プロバイオティクスといった経口的な介入方法による予防効果を検証し、臨床における予防法として確立することを目的とし、研究を継続していく予定である。