Сравнительный анализ микробных маркеров у здоровых лиц и пациентов с ремиттирующим рассеянным склерозом в дебюте и на фоне лечения препаратами, изменяющими его течение

Comparative analysis of microbial biomarkers in healthy individuals, treatment-naive patients, and those on disease-modifying therapy for multiple sclerosis

The gut microbiota represents a complex regulatory ecosystem that influences metabolism, immune responses, and neurovegetative functions. Alterations in its composition may contribute to chronic inflammation and the activation of autoimmune processes, suggesting a potential role of intestinal dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Aim of the study was to investigate the microbial and endotoxin profiles in healthy individuals and patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), both treatment-naive and receiving disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Material and methods. The study included 42 participants divided into three independent groups: healthy controls, untreated RRMS patients (RRMS-Naive), and RRMS patients receiving DMTs (RRMS-DMT). To assess the levels of 57 microbial markers (49 bacterial, 4 fungal, 3 viral) and endotoxin, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of microbial markers was used. Results. Patients receiving DMTs showed reduced levels of endotoxin and several bacterial markers compared to both the control and untreated groups. The most significant differences were observed between the RRMS-DMT and RRMS-Naive groups. Statistically significant differences were identified in markers such as Clostridium propionicum, Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella spp., Streptococcus spp., Clostridium hystolyticum, among others. Conclusions. The findings indicate an association between the clinical status of RRMS patients and the levels of microbial and endotoxin markers. GC-MS profiling of microbial markers may serve as an additional tool for evaluating systemic inflammation and therapeutic response. © 2025, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.