Fecal microbiota transplantation alleviates neuronal Apoptosis, necroptosis and M1 polarization of microglia after ischemic stroke.

Objective: This study aims to delve into the mechanisms underlying the improvement of neurological function in rats with ischemic stroke through fecal microbiota transplantation.

Methods: A total of fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were categorized into three groups: sham surgery, model, and fecal transplantation. We assessed behavioral and pathological alterations in the rats using modified neurological function scoring and TTC staining. Additionally, Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques were employed to examine the expression levels of RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, p-MLKL, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 in neurons of ischemic brain tissue, while iNOS and Arg1 were analyzed to evaluate microglial polarization.

Results: The fecal transplantation group exhibited a decline in neurological function score compared to the model group, accompanied by a reduction in infarct volume (P < 0.05). Relative to the sham surgery group, the model group displayed a significant increase in the expression levels of necroptosis-related proteins RIP1, RIP3, p-MLKL, apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and the M1 microglial cell marker iNOS in ischemic brain tissue, while Bcl-2 expression was notably decreased (P < 0.05). Conversely, compared to the model group, the fecal transplantation group demonstrated decreased expression levels of RIP1, RIP3, p-MLKL, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, and iNOS, along with increased expression of Bcl-2.

Conclusion: Fecal microbiota transplantation presents a promising avenue for enhancing neurological function in rats with ischemic stroke by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, necroptosis, and M1 polarization of microglial cells.