Beneficial Modulation of the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis by Supplementation with Modified Kodo Millet Bran and a GABA-Producing Bacterium in PTZ-Induced Kindling

Mar 12, 2026Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins

Improving the Gut-Brain Connection with Modified Kodo Millet Bran and GABA-Producing Bacteria in a Seizure Model

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Abstract

Supplementation with modified kodo millet bran and a specific probiotic reduced seizure severity and inflammation in rats with epilepsy.

Chronic epilepsy induced by pentylenetetrazol disrupted gut-brain communication.
Supplementation with modified kodo millet bran and Levilactobacillus brevis reduced seizure severity and preserved neuronal health.
Overall cytokine levels decreased by approximately 1.77-fold, indicating reduced neuroinflammation.
Enhanced expression of specific receptors (FFAR2/3) and increased levels of gut-derived GABA and short-chain fatty acids were observed.
Microbiome analysis revealed a reduction in harmful bacteria and an increase in beneficial microbes, including a rise in Turicibacter abundance.

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Beneficial modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) using dietary fibres and psychobiotics has emerged as a novel strategy for the management of various neurological conditions including epilepsy. Herein, we investigated the effects of supplementation of modified kodo millet bran (mKMB) along with GABA-producing Levilactobacillus brevis LAB6 MTCC 25662 in mitigating epileptic seizures, neuroinflammation and colonic aberrations in pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced epilepsy in SD rats. Chronic PTZ kindling induced gut-brain dysregulation, whereas supplementation with mKMB and LAB6 reduced seizure severity, preserved neuronal spines, and restored hippocampal GABAergic function. It also effectively attenuated neuro- and systemic inflammation (~ 1.77-fold overall cytokine reduction), associated with enhanced FFAR2/3 expression and increased gut GABA and SCFAs. Microbiome analysis showed that supplementation mitigated kindling-induced dysbiosis by reducing Aerococcus, Clostridium, Enterococcus and enriching beneficial microbes; notably, Turicibacter abundance increased to 21.39% in Syn + PTZ compared to 13.6% in PTZ (log₂FC = + 0.65, p = 0.056) and 17.21% in mKMB + PTZ (log₂FC = + 0.56, p = 0.032), alongside an increase in Lactobacillus, particularly Levilactobacillus brevis. These findings highlight the protective potential of dietary fibres and rationale psychobiotics supplementation in modulating MGBA and developing an effective management strategy for epilepsy.