Gut microbiota determines the social behavior of mice and induces metabolic and inflammatory changes in their adipose tissue

This study investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and social behavior in mice using a dominance/submissiveness model. Dominant (Dom) and submissive (Sub) mice exhibited distinct gut microbiota compositions, with Sub mice showing less diversity and unique taxa (Mycoplasma, Anaeroplasma, Rikenellaceae, Clostridiaceae). Sub mice also had lower body weight, eWAT mass, and smaller adipocytes, along with increased inflammation-related adipokines. Fecal microbiota transplantation confirmed a causal link between Sub microbiota and submissive behavior, along with reduced eWAT mass and altered adipokine profiles. The findings highlight the gut microbiome's crucial role in determining social behavior and its association with adipose tissue.

Oryan Agranyomi, Sapir Meininger-Mordechaï, Atara Uzan, Oren Ziv, Mali Salmon-Divon, Dmitry Rodin, Olga Raz, Igor Koren, Albert Pinasov, Shiri Navon-Venezia