Dysbiosis and Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Ischemic Stroke: A New Frontier for Treatment

Аннотация

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, may play a significant role in stroke pathophysiology. This article explores the relationship between gastrointestinal dysfunction, dysbiosis, and ischemic stroke, highlighting the potential for therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to explore the mechanisms linking ischemic stroke to GI dysfunction and dysbiosis. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were examined for evidence of GI involvement, alterations in the gut microbiota, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting these factors. Results: GI dysfunction, including impaired gut motility, intestinal permeability, and gut microbial imbalances, has been observed in ischemic stroke patients. Dysbiosis may contribute to stroke-related inflammation, immune responses, and long-term complications. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that restoring gut microbiota balance through probiotics, dietary interventions, and gut-targeted drugs may offer promising therapeutic avenues. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal dysfunction and dysbiosis represent important areas of research in ischemic stroke pathophysiology. Targeted interventions aimed at the gut microbiome hold promise for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients, though further clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings and optimize treatment strategies. Keywords: Ischemic stroke, gastrointestinal dysfunction, dysbiosis, gut microbiome, neuroinflammation, therapeutic interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, gut-brain axis, stroke recovery, intestinal permeability, immune modulation, gut-targeted therapies, fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary interventions. implicated in several neurological disorders, including Introduction: Ischemic stroke (IS) remains one of the stroke. Additionally, ischemic stroke has been leading causes of disability and death worldwide, with associated with GI dysfunction, such as impaired gut limited therapeutic options for improving recovery motility, increased intestinal permeability, and post-stroke. Recent studies have uncovered a alterations in gut microbiota composition. surprising link between the gut microbiome, Understanding the mechanisms that link GI dysfunction gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction, and the and dysbiosis to ischemic stroke could provide novel pathophysiology of ischemic stroke. The gut microbiota therapeutic opportunities to improve patient plays a crucial role in maintaining intestinal outcomes. homeostasis, modulating immune responses, and influencing systemic inflammation. Dysbiosis, an This article reviews the current literature on the imbalance in gut microbial composition, has been relationship between GI dysfunction, dysbiosis, and American Journal Of Biomedical Science & Pharmaceutical Innovation 1 https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajbspi American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745) ischemic stroke, emphasizing how interventions Linking Dysbiosis and Ischemic Stroke targeting the gut microbiome may serve as potential Recent studies have highlighted the role of the gut therapeutic strategies for stroke patients. microbiome in modulating the immune response and METHODS inflammatory pathways following ischemic stroke. Dysbiosis in stroke patients may contribute to: A systematic literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and 1. Neuroinflammation: The gut microbiome Scopus. The search included studies published from influences systemic inflammation, which plays a pivotal 2000 to 2024, using keywords like “ischemic stroke,” role in the progression of ischemic stroke. Dysbiosis can “gastrointestinal dysfunction,” “dysbiosis,” “gut enhance the production of pro-inflammatory microbiota,” and “therapeutic interventions.” Studies cytokines, which, in turn, promote neuroinflammation focusing on the pathophysiology of GI dysfunction in and exacerbate neuronal injury. stroke, the role of dysbiosis in stroke recovery, and 2. Immune System Activation: Dysbiosis has been potential therapeutic approaches targeting the gut shown to affect the function of immune cells, including microbiome were selected for inclusion. Preclinical microglia and T-cells. These immune cells play a crucial studies, clinical trials, and meta-analyses were role in the brain's response to injury. Dysbiosis may reviewed to assess the current understanding of these disrupt the immune homeostasis, making the brain topics and identify future research directions. more susceptible to inflammation and cell death RESULTS following ischemic events. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Ischemic Stroke 3. Post-Stroke Recovery: Alterations in the gut microbiota composition have been linked to poorer Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in