关键词: 慢性束缚应激, 肠道菌群, 16S rRNA测序

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the effects of chronic restraint stress on the gut microbiota in depressive model mice and its association with behavioral phenotypes.Methods　Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n=12) and a model group (n=12). The control group was housed under standard conditions, while the model group received chronic restraint stress intervention. Body weight was monitored, and behavioral characteristics were assessed using the open field test and the sucrose preference test. The composition of gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and differences in microbial community diversity and structure between the two groups were compared.Results　Compared with control group, model group showed a significant slowdown in body weight gain, along with significantly reduced locomotor and exploratory activity in the open field test and a decreased sucrose preference index (P<0.05). Gut microbiota analysis revealed that the richness and diversity of microbial community were significantly lower in model group (P<0.05). The relative abundance ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes was significantly altered, and marked fluctuations were observed in the abundance of specific bacterial genera.Conclusion　Chronic restraint stress may induce gut microbiota dysbiosis, which could be involved in the occurrence of depressive-like behaviors. These findings suggest that gut microbes may influence central emotional regulation via the gut-brain axis.

Key words: chronic restraint stress, gut microbiota, 16S rRNA sequencing