16S rRNA Sequencing-based Investigation of the Effects of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on Intestinal Flora Structure in Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea
Article
Figures
Metrics
Preview PDF
Reference
Related
Cited by
Materials
Abstract:
The effects of Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) on intestinal flora structure in SD rats with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) were investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing. First, 60 SD rats were subjected to 1 week of adaptive feeding, after which they were randomly divided into two groups: the blank control (C) group of 10 rats and the model construction group of 50 rats. The model construction group was administered 250 mg/(kg•day) clindamycin by gavage for 7 consecutive days for model establishment, whereas the blank control group was administered saline by gavage once daily during the same period. After successful model construction, the model construction group was randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each: the model (M), live bifidobacterium capsule (P), high-dose GQD (GQD-H), medium-dose GQD (GQD-M), and low-dose GQD (GQD-L) groups. The P group was administered 0.15 g/kg of bifidobacteria and the GQD-H, GQD-M, and GQD-L groups were respectively administered 10.08, 5.04, and 2.52 g/kg GQD by gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days; the C and M groups were administered equivalent volumes of saline by gavage once daily during the same period. After treatment, fecal DNA was extracted from each group aseptically and subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha and beta diversity analysis showed that GQD increased the diversity of intestinal flora in rats with AAD. GQD increased Firmicutes and Bacteroides abundance at the phylum level and Lactobacillus and Bacteroides abundance at the genus level. LEfSe analysis revealed that GQD increased Lactobacillus and Bacteroides abundance but reduced Proteobacteria abundance. These results suggest that GQD may effectively treat AAD through the improvement of intestinal microecological structure.
