Neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) and gut dysbiosis frequently occur in patients with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI). We evaluated neurogenic bowel management and changes in the gut microbiota in patients with TCSCI as well as associations between these changes and serum biomarkers. Fresh fecal and clinical data were collected from 20 male patients with TCSCI and 23 healthy males. Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Moderate NBD was observed in patients with TCSCI. The diversity of the gut microbiota was lower in patients with TCSCI than in healthy adults. Furthermore, patients with TCSCI showed altered levels of serum biomarkers related to lipid metabolism, indicating unfavorable lipid profiles. Interestingly, Firmicutes had a positive effect and Verrucomicrobia had a negative effect on lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). At the genus level, Bacteroides and Blautia were significantly more abundant in patients than in healthy subjects and could be associated with lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). Faecalibacterium, Megamonas, and Prevotella, which were correlated with lipid metabolism markers, may be suitable targets for the treatment of TCSCI. Lactobacillus was positively correlated with glucose levels. The dysbiosis of several key gut bacteria was associated with serum biomarkers of lipid metabolism in patients with TCSCI. The observed interdependency of the microbiota and lipid metabolism provides a basis for understanding the mechanisms underlying lipid disorders after cervical SCI.
Keywords: Gut microbiota dysbiosis; chronic traumatic cervical SCI; firmicutes; lipid metabolism; neurogenic bowel dysfunction; serum lipid biomarkers.