Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III modulates abnormal behavior and gut microbiota in a mouse model of autism spectrum disorder
Min Guo, Ruiying Li, Yuezhu Wang, Shiyu Ma, Yilin Zhang, Sheng Li, Hongfa Zhang, Zhenmin Liu, Chunping You, Huajun Zheng
Abstract
Probiotic treatment might improve autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behavior. In this study, we investigated the improvement effects of Lactobacillus plantarum ST-III on a mouse model of ASD, which was constructed using triclosan. After two weeks of L. plantarum ST-III oral feeding, autism-like social deficits in male mouse models were ameliorated. L. plantarum ST-III also attenuated the self-grooming and freezing times of female mice. High-throughput sequencing revealed changes in the gut microbiota after L. plantarum ST-III intervention. In the female probiotic group, the abundance of beneficial Lachnospiraceae bacteria increased, whereas that of harmful Alistipes bacteria decreased. Correlation analysis showed that amelioration of abnormal behavior in a mouse model of ASD was related to the involvement of certain metabolic pathways. A reduction in the abundance of Alistipes was involved in stereotyped behavioral improvement. Thus, oral supplementation with L. plantarum ST-III can help improve social behavior in a male mouse model of ASD and contribute to more balanced intestinal homeostasis.