Frézier Marilyn, Otis Colombe, Labelle Emilie, Lussier Bertrand, Gaudreau Pierrette, Authier Simon, Costa Marcio Carvalho, Beaudry Hélène, Troncy Eric
Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animale du Québec (GREPAQ), Université de Montréal, St.-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada.
Osteoarthritis Research Unit, University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Aug 8;26(16):7698. doi: 10.3390/ijms26167698.
To investigate the involvement of gut-brain axis in musculoskeletal chronic pain in the elderly, this preclinical study aimed to compare osteoarthritis (OA) pain expression, cognitive function and gut microbiota composition in two aging rat strains (11-15 months). A validated surgically induced OA model was used in Sprague-Dawley (SD; = 12), as standard group, and in LOU/C/Jall rats (LOU; = 8), a healthy aging model. The OA pain response was assessed longitudinally (60 days) through quantitative sensory testing (mechanical sensitization and endogenous inhibitory control functionality), spatial memory, and gut microbiota. At sacrifice, joint structural alterations and spinal neuropeptides concentrations were quantified. After OA induction, higher mechanical hypersensitivity in LOU than in SD was also associated with higher endogenous inhibitory control ( < 0.05). Expression of pro-/anti-nociceptive spinal neuropeptides, cognitive function and joint alterations were similar in both groups. Gut microbiota composition was different ( < 0.001) and different taxa were associated with each strain (e.g., spp. with LOU vs. spp. with SD). This study suggests healthy aging to be associated with more efficient endogenous pain control and expression of specific intestinal bacteria. This research questions the implication of the intestinal microbiota in aging and chronic pain control.
为研究肠-脑轴在老年人肌肉骨骼慢性疼痛中的作用，这项临床前研究旨在比较两种老龄大鼠品系（11 - 15个月）的骨关节炎（OA）疼痛表现、认知功能和肠道微生物群组成。在标准组的Sprague-Dawley（SD；n = 12）大鼠以及健康老龄模型的LOU/C/Jall大鼠（LOU；n = 8）中使用了经过验证的手术诱导OA模型。通过定量感觉测试（机械性致敏和内源性抑制控制功能）、空间记忆和肠道微生物群对OA疼痛反应进行纵向评估（60天）。在处死时，对关节结构改变和脊髓神经肽浓度进行定量分析。OA诱导后，LOU大鼠比SD大鼠具有更高的机械性超敏反应，这也与更高的内源性抑制控制相关（P < 0.05）。两组中促/抗伤害感受性脊髓神经肽的表达、认知功能和关节改变相似。肠道微生物群组成不同（P < 0.001），不同的分类群与每个品系相关（例如，LOU大鼠与spp.相关，SD大鼠与spp.相关）。这项研究表明健康老龄与更有效的内源性疼痛控制和特定肠道细菌的表达有关。该研究对肠道微生物群在衰老和慢性疼痛控制中的作用提出了质疑。
