Effects of experimental periodontitis on anxiety-like behavior and gut microbiota in mice

YANG Zhong-liang; WANG Jian-hui; LIU Lin; LI Hong-bo

doi:10.19749/j.cn.cjgd.1672-2973.2023.05.001

Abstract：Objective To observe the effect of experimental periodontitis on anxiety-like behavior in mice,and to initially explore the role played by gut microbiota.Methods Sixteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and periodontitis group.The periodontitis group was treated with ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.After 8 weeks,open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to detect the anxiety-like behavior of mice.16S rRNA sequencing was used to detect the changes of gut microbiota in the feces of the two groups of mice.Results Compared with the control group,the periodontitis group showed alveolar bone resorption,reduced central zone time in the open field test,and reduced open arms time in the elevated plus maze test.16S rRNA sequencing revealed a significant difference in the β-diversity of gut microbiota between the two groups.The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in the periodontitis group.LEfSe analysis showed that Acetatifactor,Oscillospirales,Coriobacteriia,Butyricicoccaceae,Coriobacteriales in the control group and Peptococcus,Bacteroidia,Bacteroidota,Muribaculaceae,Bacteroidales in the periodontitis group had significant difference on sample classification.The results of correlation analysis showed that norank_f__Muribaculaceae was negatively correlated with the open-arm time,and Akkermansia was positively correlated with the open-arm time.Functional prediction analysis suggested that there were differences in the fatty acid degradation pathways of gut microbiota between the two groups.Conclusion Experimental periodontitis induces anxiety-like behavior in mice,and changes in the structure and function of gut microbiota may play a role.