Effects of S-Nicotine and R-Nicotine on microbial community diversity in an MPTP-induced Mouse model.
This project aims to evaluate the regulatory effects of nicotine stereoisomers (S and R) at varying dosages on the gut microbiota of mice within an MPTP-induced neurotoxicity model. The study encompasses eight experimental groups, including an MPTP model group and seven nicotine intervention groups: S-Nicotine (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) and R-Nicotine (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 3 mg/kg). Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we investigate changes in microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, and specific bacterial biomarkers across these groups. The relevance of this study lies in its exploration of how nicotine isomers differentially modulate the gut-brain axis, providing potential insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms and therapeutic potential of nicotine-related compounds for treating neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's disease.