N-1 improves autism-like behavior and gut microbiota in mouse.

INTRODUCTION

The gut-brain axis has been widely recognized in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and probiotics are considered to potentially benefit the rescuing of autism-like behaviors. As a probiotic strain, () was utilized to investigate its effects on gut microbiota and autism-like behaviors in ASD mice constructed by maternal immune activation (MIA).

METHODS

Adult offspring of MIA mice were given at the dosage of 2  ×  10  CFU/g for 4  weeks before subject to the behavior and gut microbiota evaluation.

RESULTS

The behavioral tests showed that intervention was able to rescue autism-like behaviors in mice, including anxiety and depression. In which the treatment group increased the time spent interacting with strangers in the three-chamber test, their activity time and distance in the central area increased in the open field test, and their immobility time decreased when hanging their tails. Moreover, the supplementation of reversed the intestinal flora structure of ASD mice by enhancing the relative abundance of the pivotal microorganisms of and , while reducing those harmful ones like at the genus level.

DISCUSSION

These results suggested that supplementation may improve autism-like behaviors, possibly regulating the gut microbiota.