Abstract
BackgroundDiet, environment, and genomic context have a significant impact on humans’ intestinal microbiota. Moreover, migration may be accompanied by changes in human eating habits and living environment, which could, in turn, affect the intestinal microbiota. Located in southwestern China, Tibet has an average altitude of 4,000 meters and is known as the world’s roof. Xianyang is situated in the plains of central China, with an average altitude of about 400 meters.MethodsTo understand the association between intestinal microbiota and population migration, we collected the fecal samples from 30 Tibetan women on the first day (as TI1st), six months (as TI2nd), and ten months (as TI3rd) following migration from Tibet to Xianyang. Fecal samples were collected from 29 individuals (belonging to the Han women) as a control. The dietary information of the Tibetan women and the Han women was gathered. We performed a 16S rRNA gene survey of the collected fecal samples using Illumina MiSeq sequencing.ResultsFollowing the migration, the alpha and beta diversity of Tibetan women’s intestinal microbiota appeared unaffected. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis showed that Klebsiella, Blautia, and Veillonella are potential biomarkers at TI1st, while Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were common in TI3rd. Finally, functional prediction by phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) found no significant up-regulation or down-regulation gene pathway in the intestinal microbiota of Tibetan women after migration. The present study reveals that the higher stability in Tibetan women’s intestinal microbiota was less affected by the environment and diet, indicating that Tibetan women’s intestinal microbiota is relatively stable. The main limitations of the study were the small sample size and all volunteers were women.
Highlights
The human intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in metabolism, digestion, immunity, and chronic diseases and has been suggested to co-evolve with the host (Tremaroli & Backhed, 2012; Turnbaugh et al, 2006)
Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) showed no significant differences between Han and Tibetan women (Table 1)
Our study demonstrated significant differences in the diversities and compositions of intestinal microbiota between Tibetan women and Han women
Summary
The human intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in metabolism, digestion, immunity, and chronic diseases and has been suggested to co-evolve with the host (Tremaroli & Backhed, 2012; Turnbaugh et al, 2006). Previous studies have revealed phenotypic features in native Tibetans associated with plateau adaptation, including low hemoglobin concentration, low pulmonary arterial pressure, enhanced athletic endurance, and low incidence of chronic high altitude disease (Beall et al, 2010; Ge et al, 2011; Kang et al, 2013; Kang et al, 2016; Lu et al, 2012; Simonson et al, 2010). Migration may be accompanied by changes in human eating habits and living environment, which could, in turn, affect the intestinal microbiota. To understand the association between intestinal microbiota and population migration, we collected the fecal samples from 30 Tibetan women on the first day (as TI1st), six months (as TI2nd), and ten months (as TI3rd) following migration from Tibet to Xianyang. The main limitations of the study were the small sample size and all volunteers were women
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
