H. pylori eradication with antibiotic treatment causes changes in glucose homeostasis related to modifications in the gut microbiota.

Gracia Mª Martín-Núñez,Francisco J Tinahones,Araceli Muñoz-Garach,Isabel Moreno-Indias,Fernando Cardona,Mª Del Mar Roca-Rodríguez,Isabel Cornejo-Pareja,Leticia Coin-Aragüez,Mercedes Clemente-Postigo,Marie-Joelle Virolle

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213548

Abstract

BackgroundH. pylori infection and eradication cause perturbations of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiota has been identified as a potential contributor to metabolic diseases. We evaluate whether these alterations in intestinal microbiota composition produced by H. pylori infection and its posterior eradication with antibiotic treatment could be associated with glucose homeostasis in metabolically healthy subjects.MethodsForty adult patients infected with H. pylori and 20 control subjects were recruited. The infected subjects were evaluated before and two months after eradication treatment (omeprazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin). The microbiota composition in fecal samples was determined by 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) sequencing using Illumina Miseq.ResultsPatients (pre- and post-H. pylori eradication) showed a decreased bacterial richness and diversity with respect to controls. There was an improvement in glucose homeostasis in subjects two months after H. pylori eradication treatment. Changes in the amount of Rikenellaceae, Butyricimonas, E. biforme, B. fragilis, and Megamonas were inversely associated with changes in the glucose level or related parameters (Hb1ac) in H. pylori eradication subjects.ConclusionsH. pylori infection and eradication with antibiotic treatment causes alteration of the human gut microbiome. The increase in SCFA-producing bacteria and glucose-removing bacteria, specifically members of Megamonas, Rikenellaceae and Butyricimonas, has been related with an improvement in glucose homeostasis after H. pylori eradication with antibiotic treatment.

Highlights

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa of humans and non-human primates [1]
There was an improvement in glucose homeostasis in subjects two months after H. pylori eradication treatment
Changes in the amount of Rikenellaceae, Butyricimonas, E. biforme, B. fragilis, and Megamonas were inversely associated with changes in the glucose level or related parameters (Hb1ac) in H. pylori eradication subjects

Summary

Introduction

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa of humans and non-human primates [1]. Previous studies have associated H. pylori infection and eradication with lipid and glucose metabolism [13,14]. In this context, changes in the intestinal microbiota induced by H. pylori infection and antibiotic eradication treatment could be a significant contributor to the development of metabolic disorders. We hypothesize that both infection and the eradication treatment of H. pylori may cause perturbations in the gut microbiome, which can indirectly affect carbohydrate homeostasis. The gut microbiota has been identified as a potential contributor to metabolic diseases We evaluate whether these alterations in intestinal microbiota composition produced by H. pylori infection and its posterior eradication with antibiotic treatment could be associated with glucose homeostasis in metabolically healthy subjects

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion