Microbial production of short-chain fatty acids attenuates long-term neurologic impairment after traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers persistent gut microbiome dysbiosis characterized by depletion of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. However, the link between SCFA depletion and long-term neurologic impairment (LTNI) after TBI remains unclear. Previously, we and others noted the involvement of metabolite-sensing receptors and SCFA ligands in mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Here, we further investigated SCFA-mediated neuroprotection in LTNI at both microbiome and single-cell resolution using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI with a high-yielding SCFA diet to examine their mechanistic role in pathogenesis.

Methods

C57BL6/J mice were randomized to CCI (6 m/s, 2 mm) or sham surgery. Following surg

SUBMITTER: Xiong Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12687483 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature