A pilot study: Gut microbiota, metabolism and inflammation in hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage

Aims In recent years, the incidence rate of hypertensive intracerebral haemorrhage (HICH) has been increasing, accompanied by high mortality and morbidity, which has brought a heavy burden to the social economy. However, the pathogenesis of HICH is still unclear. This study intends to explore the mechanism of gut microbiota metabolism and inflammation in the process of HICH to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of HICH. Methods and Results HE staining showed that the brain tissues of model group had obvious oedema injury, which indicated that the HICH model was successfully constructed. ELISA analysis showed that IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels in blood and brain tissues were significantly increased, and IL‐10 level was significantly decreased in blood. IHC analysis showed that microglia and macrophages were activated in the model group. 16S rRNA sequence showed that the diversity of gut microbiota in HICH patients decreased. Also, the microbiota belonging to Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia changed significantly. LC–MS/MS analysis showed that the metabolic phenotype of HICH patients changed. Also, the 3,7‐dimethyluric acid‐ and 7‐methylxanthine‐related metabolic pathways of caffeine metabolism pathways were downregulated in patients with HICH. Bacteroides was negatively correlated with the IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels. Blautia was negatively correlated with the IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels, and positively correlated with the IL‐10 level. Akkermansia was negatively correlated with the 3,7‐dimethyluric acid and 7‐methylxanthine. Conclusion Our study suggested that HICH was accompanied by the increased inflammation marker levels in peripheral blood and brain, decreased gut microbiota diversity, altered gut metabolic phenotype and downregulation of caffeine metabolism pathway. Significance and Impact of the Study Our study reported that HICH accompanied by the increased inflammation, decreased gut microbiota diversity and altered gut metabolic phenotype. Due to the number of patients, this work was a pilot study.