Biology subjects

Bayal, N.

Publications and source records attributed to Bayal, N..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Faecal transplantation from exuberant toddlers increases exploratory behaviour in rats

BackgroundBehavioural phenotypes have previously been transferred via faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from patients with psychiatric disorders to rodents. Studies indicate that the gut microbiota composition may be linked to certain temperament traits, defined as biologically-based differences in emotional reactivity and self-regulation. Here, we aimed to determine if the gut microbiota plays a role in temperament using an FMT approach. We focused on the temperament traits of exuberance, defined as positive reactivity, decreased behavioural inhibition, and high behavioural approach tendencies. MethodsFaeces from 2.5-year-old toddlers from FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study with high exuberance/approach or high behavioural inhibition in the LabTAB bubbles-episode was transferred to juvenile male Sprague Dawley rats (age 22/23 days). Behaviour of the rat recipients (n=53) was assessed using the novel non-social arena, novel social arena, hole board test for exploratory behaviour, social approach-avoidance test, and forced swim test. The faecal pellets collected from the rodents were analyzed with 16s rRNA sequencing and faecal samples from the sample of toddlers (which included the donors, n=176) were analysed using short-read metagenomic sequencing. The striatum and prefrontal cortex from the rodents brains were analysed post-mortem using RNAseq. ResultsMicrobiome from toddlers with high exuberance traits induced increased exploratory behaviour compared to vehicle-controls and rats receiving faeces from inhibited toddlers. Locomotor activity, social, and depressive-like behaviour remained unaffected. We noted a downregulation of the dopamine synapse pathway within the striatum of the rats that received faeces from the inhibited trait donors compared with vehicle-controls. Faecal microbiota of rats receiving faeces from the same donor resembled more each other than rats from a different cage. Clostridium species AM29 11AC in toddler microbiome was positively related to exuberance, but there were no cross-sectional associations between faecal metabolites in the human sample. ConclusionsFMT from exuberant toddlers lead to altered exploratory-related behaviour in rats.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharides for alleviation of hepatic steatosis: Results from a four-month dietary intervention and determinants of response

A common complexity from increasing rates of overweight is metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) which can develop into more severe conditions such as fibrosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The gut and its microbial flora interact with the liver through the gut-liver axis and supporting healthy composition and metabolism of the microbiota can benefit metabolic health. We have previously shown in animals that a xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic can drive beneficial gut flora and ameliorate hepatic steatosis- our current objective is to validate these results in humans. Forty-two adults (mean age 53.7, mean BMI 33.5) ingested a prebiotic dose of XOS daily for four months. Liver fat was quantified with MRI and body composition was measured. Standard clinical measurements and untargeted metabolomes were analyzed from serum. Microbiota composition, metagenome and metabolites were analyzed from fecal samples. A subgroup analysis was conducted between non-steatotic individuals, non-responders, and responders. The XOS supplementation caused decreases in detrimental amino acid degradation products (AADPs) isovalerate, isobutyrate, and phenylacetate in the gut while serum metabolome remained stable. A decrease in liver fat during the prebiotic was accompanied by a decrease in visceral fat. In a prediction analysis, this response was driven by higher initial ratio of Bacteroides to Faecalibacterium, higher fecal AADPs, and higher serum amino acids. Non-responders had metabolomic signatures of advanced steatosis, possibly impeding effects from XOS. In overweight individuals with early hepatic steatosis, XOS may correct fermentation imbalances in the gut and decrease production of harmful metabolites, which may benefit hepatic health. IMPORTANCEPre- and probiotics are emerging, yet unknown, avenues of treatment for metabolism-associated steatotic liver disease. In overweight humans, a xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) prebiotic induced shifts in gut bacteria and their metabolites. High proteolytic activity in the gut was predictive of hepatic response to XOS, which may serve the development of personalized treatment of fatty liver.

systems biology↗