Abstract
Simple SummaryIntestinal microflora has been associated with obesity. While cardiovascular disorders are more strongly associated with visceral fat than the body mass index (BMI), the link between visceral fat area (VFA) and intestinal microflora has been little studied. In this study, we investigated the association between intestinal microflora and VFA and BMI using a longitudinal study (N = 767). We found that the intestinal microflora composition is significantly associated with VFA or BMI; however, the associated gut microbes differ. Furthermore, two gut species—Blautia hansenii and Blautia producta—were significantly and negatively associated with VFA accumulation.Intestinal microflora has been associated with obesity. While visceral fat is more strongly associated with cardiovascular disorder, a complication linked to obesity, than the body mass index (BMI), the association between intestinal microflora and obesity (as defined in terms of BMI) has been studied widely. However, the link between visceral fat area (VFA) and intestinal microflora has been little studied. In this study, we investigate the association between intestinal microflora and VFA and BMI using a longitudinal study on Japanese subjects with different VFA statuses (N = 767). Principal component analysis of the changes in intestinal microflora composition over the one-year study period revealed the different associations between intestinal microflora and VFA and BMI. As determined by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, changes in the abundance ratio of two microbial genera—Blautia and Flavonifractor—were significantly associated with VFA changes and changes in the abundance ratio of four different microbial genera were significantly associated with BMI changes, suggesting that the associated intestinal microbes are different. Furthermore, as determined by metagenomic shotgun sequences, changes in the abundance ratios of two Blautia species—Blautia hansenii and Blautia producta—were significantly and negatively associated with VFA changes. Our findings might be used to develop a new treatment for visceral fat.
Highlights
The intestinal microflora resides in one of the largest interfaces between the host, environmental factors, and antigens in the human body
visceral fat area (VFA) was 106.5 ± 43.2 cm2 in males and 67.7 ± 31.9 cm2 in females; it was higher in males and lower in females, compared to the value defined as visceral obesity (≥100 cm2 ) [44]
In regard to the metabolic risk factors, the high-VFA group was significantly higher for glucose (p < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, p = 0.001), systolic blood pressure (SBP, p = 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, p < 0.001), TG (p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
Summary
The intestinal microflora resides in one of the largest interfaces between the host, environmental factors, and antigens in the human body. It is strongly associated with host energy regulation and homeostasis, contributing to obesity and diabetes status [1]. Intestinal microflora is a contributing factor to the development of obesity [2–5]. Intestinal microflora depends on environmental factors, such as diet [6–8], age [9,10], and gender [11,12]. As revealed by studies involving animals, intestinal microflora impacts insulin resistance and adiposity [13,14]. Four major phyla—Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria—account for approximately 98% of the intestinal microflora. BMI has been widely used as a proxy for obesity in studies focusing on intestinal microflora and obesity
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