Restoring gut balance reduces brain inflammation post-stroke

Researchers at UTHealth Houston have found that fixing imbalances in gut microbiota after a stroke may help reduce brain inflammation. Their study was published in the journal Nature Communications. The researchers focused on substances called ligands, which are produced by both the body and gut bacteria. These ligands interact with a receptor protein known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), which helps regulate the immune system and inflammation, especially after a stroke. After a stroke, levels of kynurenine, a host-derived ligand for AHR, increase. At the same time, changes in gut bacteria lead to a loss of beneficial microbiota-derived ligands. This imbalance can negatively affect how AHR functions and contribute to inflammation. Dr. Bhanu Priya Ganesh, the study's senior author, explained that beneficial substances from gut bacteria decrease while harmful ones increase after a stroke. Restoring these beneficial substances might help lower inflammation and improve recovery. Previous studies from UTHealth Houston indicated that stroke and neurodegenerative diseases disrupt gut microbiota. Aging further complicates this issue by worsening these imbalances. This latest research suggests new treatment options that focus on the connection between the gut and brain. These findings could help improve recovery after strokes and minimize brain damage.