International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 5 authors, 5 centres
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This systematic review analyzed 12 case-control studies and found that gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with multiple sclerosis, with alterations in bacterial diversity and short-chain fatty acid levels. However, methodological variations and small sample sizes limit definitive conclusions.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease with potential links to gut microbiota via the gut-brain axis, where dysbiosis may influence immune regulation. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and included 12 case-control studies from 2018-2022, involving 570 MS patients and 478 healthy controls. Studies were selected from databases like PubMed and Scopus, with inclusion criteria for MS diagnosis and gut microbiota analysis. Key Results: The review identified consistent gut dysbiosis in MS patients, with changes in alpha diversity (decrease in RRMS, increase in PPMS) and alterations in bacterial taxa such as decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes. Specific genera like Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium were often decreased, while Akkermansia was increased. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) showed decreased butyrate and increased acetate levels. Limitations: Methodological heterogeneity in study designs, sample collection, and analysis, along with moderate sample sizes, limit generalizability. No cause-effect relationship was established. Implications: The findings suggest a link between gut microbiota and MS, with potential for microbiota modulation as a diagnostic or therapeutic target, but further research is required to confirm causality and clinical relevance.
