Relationship of Diet to Gut Microbiota and Inflammatory Biomarkers in People with HIV.

Mónica Manzano,María José Gosalbes,Jorge Díaz,Fernando Dronda,José A Pérez-Molina,Elena Moreno,Beatriz Navia,Santiago Moreno,Raquel Ron,Nadia Madrid,Sergio Serrano-Villar,Val F Lanza,Alba Talavera-Rodríguez

doi:10.3390/nu14061221

Abstract

While changes in microbiome composition have been associated with HIV, the effect of diet and its potential impact on inflammation remains unclear. Methods: Twenty-seven people living with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were studied. A comprehensive dietary analysis was performed and two types of dietary patterns were determined. We explored the associations of each dietary pattern with gut microbiota and plasma inflammatory biomarkers. Results: We appreciated two dietary patterns, Mediterranean-like (MEL) and one Western-like (WEL). Compared to participants with the WEL pattern, participants with MEL pattern showed higher abundance of Lachnospira (p-value = 0.02) and lower levels of the inflammatory biomarkers D-dimer (p-value = 0.050) and soluble TNF-alpha receptor 2 (sTNFR2) (p-value = 0.049). Men who have sex with men (MSM) with MEL pattern had lower abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae (p-value < 0.001) and lower levels of D-dimer (p-value = 0.026) than MSM with WEL pattern. Conclusion: MEL pattern favours Lachnospira abundance, and protects against Erysipelotrichaceae abundance and higher levels of the inflammatory biomarkers D-dimer and sTNFR2, precursors of inflammatory processes in HIV-infected patients. Our study contributes to understanding the determinants of a healthier diet and its connections with gut microbiota and inflammation.

Highlights

Interactions between altered gut mucosa and bacteria during HIV infection appear to contribute to chronic immune dysfunction and correlate with the route of HIV transmission [1,2]
In this study in people living with HIV (PWH), we found evidence of an intersection between dietary habits, the microbiota and systemic inflammation
We found that compared to participants with a WEL pattern, those with MEL pattern exhibited increased abundance of Lachnospira and lower levels of D-dimers and soluble TNF-alpha receptor 2 (sTNFR2), and among Men who have sex with men (MSM) a lower Erysipelotrichaceae abundance and lower D-dimers

Summary

Introduction

Interactions between altered gut mucosa and bacteria during HIV infection appear to contribute to chronic immune dysfunction and correlate with the route of HIV transmission [1,2]. Further study is needed to understand how nutritional interventions might improve gut dysbiosis, especially during chronic diseases. Scientific evidence has associated the more Western dietary pattern, high in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and sugars and low in fibre and micronutrients, with various inflammatory metabolic and chronic gastrointestinal tract conditions, whereas diets rich in fibre, vitamins and antioxidants have beneficial effects on gut homeostasis by increasing microbial diversity and inducing a regulatory environment [3–6]. Some studies have found differences in the intestinal microbiota of HIV-infected patients by transmission risk group and have suggested that these differences could be attributed to diet [1,8]. We aimed to analyse the dietary patterns and dietary quality of a group of 27 people living with HIV (PWH), and correlate the nutritional parameters with the gut microbiota composition and inflammatory biomarkers

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion