16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples from beta-glucan-treated mice with necrotizing enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal emergency in preterm infants, leading to severe systemic complications including remote organ injury such as the central nervous system. While beta-glucan has demonstrated immunomodulatory potential in mitigating intestinal inflammation, its role in the gut-brain axis during NEC remains unclear. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of beta-glucan administration on NEC-associated brain injury in a murine model. We utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples to characterize the structural shifts in the gut microbiota induced by beta-glucan treatment. By correlating specific microbial signatures with neuroinflammatory markers and histopathological outcomes, this project aims to elucidate whether beta-glucan-mediated modulation of the gut microbiome confers neuroprotection. These data provide crucial insights into the microbiota-gut-brain axis and support the development of microbiome-targeted strategies for preventing NEC-related neurological sequelae.
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