Ketogenic Diet Induced Shifts in the Gut Microbiome Associate with Changes to Inflammatory Cytokines and Brain-Related miRNAs in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Nutrients. 2024;16(10)
Full text from:

Plain language summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviours. Recent research has explored the potential of dietary interventions, such as the ketogenic diet (KD), to alleviate some of these symptoms by influencing the gut microbiome and inflammatory pathways. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a modified ketogenic diet on the gut microbiome, inflammatory cytokines, and brain-related microRNAs (miRNAs) in children with ASD. This study was an interventional pilot study. It involved a small cohort of children with ASD who followed a modified ketogenic diet for four months. Results showed that: - significant changes were observed in the gut microbiome composition, including increased expression of butyrate kinase. - plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-12p70 and IL-1β, were reduced. - altered levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-associated miRNAs were detected in the plasma. Authors concluded that a ketogenic diet may positively influence ASD symptoms by reducing inflammation, reversing gut microbial dysbiosis, and impacting the BDNF pathway related to brain activity. These findings warrant further investigation in larger cohorts to validate the potential therapeutic benefits of the KD for children with ASD.

Abstract

In this interventional pilot study, we investigated the effects of a modified ketogenic diet (KD) on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We previously observed improved behavioral symptoms in this cohort following the KD; this trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02477904). This report details the alterations observed in the microbiota, inflammation markers, and microRNAs of seven children following a KD for a duration of 4 months. Our analysis included blood and stool samples, collected before and after the KD. After 4 months follow up, we found that the KD led to decreased plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-12p70 and IL-1b) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Additionally, we observed changes in the gut microbiome, increased expression of butyrate kinase in the gut, and altered levels of BDNF-associated miRNAs in the plasma. These cohort findings suggest that the KD may positively influence ASD sociability, as previously observed, by reducing inflammation, reversing gut microbial dysbiosis, and impacting the BDNF pathway related to brain activity.

Lifestyle medicine

Patient Centred Factors : Triggers/Ketogenic diets
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients ; Microorganisms
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition ; Psychological
Functional Laboratory Testing : Blood

Methodological quality

Jadad score : Not applicable
Allocation concealment : Not applicable
Publication Type : Clinical Trial ; Journal Article

Metadata