Metabolomics and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analyses of Changes in the Intestinal Flora and Biomarkers Induced by Gastrodia-Uncaria Treatment in a Rat Model of Chronic Migraine
Wen Z, He M, Peng C, Rao Y, Li J, Li Z, Du L, Li Y, Zhou M, Hui O, Feng Y, Yang S · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2019 December 17
DOI 10.3389/fphar.2019.01425
Objective
To investigate the effects of Gastrodia elata Blume and Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. on gut microbial communities and host metabolism in rats with nitroglycerin-induced chronic migraine.
Conclusions
Gastrodia elata Blume and Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. treatment modulates gut microbial community structure and function, alters host amino acid and other metabolic pathways, and may alleviate migraine through microbiota-mediated regulation of host metabolism.
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Insights
The traditional Chinese medicine combination, GU, alleviates migraines by modifying gut microbial structures and metabolism, with potential metabolic and microbial clues pinpointed.
This research began with a gene sequencing and metabolomics study on a rat model with chronic migraines induced by nitroglycerin. The effects of a traditional Chinese medicine known as GU on the gut microbial community structure were investigated. Changes in relative abundance of different gut microbes were noted following GU administration. Additionally, the metabolomics profiles of substances found in plasma and ileum contents were explored using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer.
Administering GU to migraine-induced rats significantly altered their gut microbial community structure, making it resemble that of control rats. Certain microbes increased in relative abundance, while others decreased. In tandem with these microbial changes, several bio-markers in plasma-- including levels of certain amino acids and other molecules-- fluctuated. Closer inspection revealed that shifts in bacterial populations were tightly linked to variations in amino acid metabolism. However, when gut microbial activity was suppressed, GU did not impact bio-markers in fecal samples, substantiating the integral role of gut microbes in GU's therapeutic effect on migraines.
