The Gut Microbiota Contributes to Systemic Responses and Liver Injury in Gut-Derived Sepsis

The gut microbiota, as a major source of opportunistic pathogens, poses a great threat to systemic infection, whereas the role of the gut microbiota in sepsis is underestimated. Here, we aimed to explore the effects of different gut microbiota patterns (namely, enterotypes) in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine sepsis. To achieve this purpose, we built four kinds of enterotypes by exposing mice to different types of antibiotics (azithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin). The results showed that antibiotic exposure induced different enterotypes, which, in turn, led to varying levels of systemic inflammation in septic mice, with amoxicillin-associated enterotypes exhibiting the most severe inflammation, followed by metronidazole, azithromycin, and levofloxacin. Specifically, the amoxicillin-associated enterotype was characterized by an abundance of intestinal opportunistic pathogens, including Enterobacteriaceae, Sutterellaceae, and Morganellaceae. This enterotype played a significant role in promoting the pathogenic potential of the gut microbiota, ultimately contributing to the development of severe systemic inflammation. Furthermore, the amoxicillin-associated enterotype exaggerated the sepsis-related liver injury, as evidenced by higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and hepatic malondialdehyde. The results of the RNA sequencing and the fecal suspension intraperitoneal injection sepsis model indicated that the amoxicillin-associated enterotype provoked acute hepatic immune responses and led to more significant metabolic compensation in the event of sepsis. Collectively, we concluded that the gut microbiota was one crucial factor for heterogeneity in sepsis, where the modulated gut microbiota likely prevented or reduced the serious consequences of sepsis, at least in gut-derived sepsis.

Automated summary

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of sepsis, with different enterotypes leading to varying levels of systemic inflammation. The amoxicillin-associated enterotype is characterized by an abundance of opportunistic pathogens, resulting in the most severe inflammation and liver injury in septic mice. These findings highlight the importance of modulating the gut microbiota to prevent or reduce the serious consequences of sepsis, particularly in gut-derived sepsis.