New findings from Cleveland Clinic researchers show for the first time that the gut microbiome impacts stroke severity and functional impairment following stroke. The results, published in Cell Host & Microbe, lay the groundwork for potential new interventions to help treat or prevent stroke.

In this study we found that dietary choline and TMAO produced greater stroke size and severity, and poorer outcomes in animal models. Remarkably, simply transplanting gut microbes capable of making TMAO was enough to cause a profound change in stroke severity.

The researchers compared brain damage in preclinical stroke models between those with elevated or reduced TMAO levels. Over time, those with higher levels of TMAO had more extensive brain damage and a greater degree of motor and cognitive functional deficits following stroke. The researchers also found that dietary changes that alter TMAO levels, such as eating less red meat and eggs, impacted stroke severity.

Release date: 16 Jun 2021
Source: Cleveland Clinic

You might also like