Gut Bacteria in People Living with RRMS

The background

Whilst it is generally accepted that multiple sclerosis (MS) has a combination of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its development, the exact nature of these is still unclear.  Increasingly, evidence is being generated that points towards a role for gut microbiota (bacteria and other microorganisms).

The study

This study, conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, aimed to characterise the gut microbiota in people with MS compared to healthy individuals.  To do this, fecal samples were analysed from 31 people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 36 healthy controls.  Genetic sequencing was then performed on isolated microbial DNA to identify the types of bacteria present.

The findings

There were a number of findings that were discovered during this study, including:

• The species richness in people with MS was what was expected for people eating a typical Western diet
• The species richness decreased in people with MS during active disease compared to healthy controls
• The microbiota did not appear to be effected by treatment status, smoking or vitamin D supplementation
• Whilst the species richness was similar between groups, the abundance of certain bacteria was altered in people with MS

The outcomes

This study provides an indication that the gut microbiota is different in people with MS compared to healthy individuals.  While the overall species diversity wasn’t necessarily altered, the abundance of certain bacteria was increased or decreased in people with MS.  Interestingly, there was also a trend that suggested the gut microbiota changes during active disease compared to remission.   Whilst none of the other environmental factors studied appeared to impact on the gut bacteria, the small sample size for each of these groups means that a definitive statement can’t be made.  A larger study with samples taken over a variety of time points is now needed to properly analyse the changes in gut microbiota over time in people with MS.

The full article can be accessed here.