Gut microbiota composition as a candidate risk factor for dimethyl fumarate-induced lymphopenia in multiple sclerosis

Abstract: Mounting evidence points towards a pivotal role of gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology. Yet, whether disease-modifying treatments alter microbiota composition and whether microbiota shape treatment response and side-effects remain unclear. In this prospective observational pilot study, we assessed the effect of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on gut microbiota and on host/microbial metabolomics in a cohort of 20 MS patients. Combining state-of-the-art microbial sequencing, metabolome mass spectrometry, and computational analysis, we identified longitudinal changes in gut microbiota composition under DMF-treatment and an increase in citric acid cycle metabolites. Notably, DMF-induced lymphopenia, a clinically relevant safety concern, was correlated with distinct baseline microbiome signatures in MS patients. We identified gastrointestinal microbiota as a key therapeutic target for metabolic properties of DMF. By characterizing gut microbial composition as a candidate risk factor for DMF-induced lymphopenia, we provide novel insights into the role of microbiota in mediating clinical side-effects

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Gut microbes. - 14, 1 (2022) , 2147055, ISSN: 1949-0984

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Medizin, Gesundheit

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Freiburg
• (who): Universität
• (when): 2022
• Creator: Diebold, Martin ; Meola, Marco ; Purushothaman, Srinithi ; Siewert, Lena Katharina ; Pössnecker, Elisabeth ; Roloff, Tim ; Lindberg Gasser, Raija L. P. ; Kuhle, Jens ; Kappos, Ludwig ; Derfuß, Tobias ; Egli, Adrian ; Pröbstel, Anne-Katrin

Further information

• DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2147055
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:25-freidok-2314555
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:58 AM CEST