Differences In Fecal Microbiota Research Articles

Characterization of faecal microbiota and serum inflammatory markers in dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy or small-cell lymphoma: a pilot study

Dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy (CE) or small-cell lymphoma (SCL) exhibit marked differences in faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles compared with healthy dogs, as well as immune abnormalities in intestinal mucosal tissue. However, few studies have analysed trace organic acids, such as succinic acid, which have been suggested to be associated with IBD in humans. Therefore, in this study, we compared the faecal microbiota and organic acid profiles as well as serum inflammatory markers between dogs with disease (n = 11; 6 with CE and 5 with SCL) and healthy controls (n = 16). We also performed machine learning and correlation analysis to obtain more detailed insights into the characteristics of affected dogs. These results revealed that dogs with CE and SCL had lower levels of Erysipelotrichaceae (e.g. Turicibacter and Allobaculum), exhibited abnormalities in the succinic acid metabolism (i.e. succinic acid accumulation and decreased levels of Phascolarctobacterium as succinic acid-utilising bacteria) and increased levels of pathobiont bacteria such as Escherichia-Shigella. Additionally, the presence of Dubosiella was significantly negatively correlated with Canine Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity Index scores. These findings are expected to aid the development of microbiome-based medications and/or supplements, although further verification is needed.

The effect of vortioxetine on faecal microbiota in high-fat diet-exposed mice-A link to weight protection.

Weight gain is a common side effect of antidepressive treatment, causing distress among patients and caretakers as it can lead to treatment discontinuation and complications such as diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease. Vortioxetine is one of the newer antidepressants and the pharmacodynamics differ from the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It is marketed as being weight neutral; however, there is little evidence as to why. In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the faecal microbiota and its impact on body weight and mental and physical health. In the current work, we examine the effect of vortioxetine on weight gain and faecal microbiota composition. Forty male C57BL/6NTac mice were primed for 8 weeks with a high-fat diet (Hfd) or control diet (Cd), followed by a 4-week period on the same diet and additional +/- vortioxetine 10 mg/kg/daily. Vortioxetine reduced Hfd-induced weight gain (Hfd + V: 8.2%, Hfd - V: 12.7%; p=0.0374) but did not affect weight gain of the control group (Cd + V: 7.54%, Cd - V: 7.56%; p=0.4944). Significant differences in faecal microbiota were observed in mice who received vortioxetine. Vortioxetine caused significant changes to the faecal microbiota composition and appeared to limit Hfd-induced weight gain.

Evaluation of fecal microbiota of late gestation sows in relation to pelvic organ prolapse risk.

Sow mortality in the U.S. swine industry has increased in recent years, for which pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a major contributor, accounting for 21% of all sow mortality. Dysbiosis of microbial communities has been associated with disease and reproductive dysfunction in several species, and previous studies have shown changes in vaginal microbiota in sows with increased risk for POP during late gestation. However, there is insufficient knowledge surrounding the potential relationship between fecal microbiota and POP in sows. Therefore, the study objective was to identify differences in sow fecal microbiota and determine if fecal and vaginal microbial communities are correlated in relation to POP risk. Sows were evaluated for POP risk using an established perineal scoring system, with a perineal score (PS) of 1 (PS1) presuming little to no risk of POP to a PS of 3 (PS3) presuming high risk of POP. In the current study, 2,864 sows were scored during gestation week 15, and 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, and PS3 sows, respectively, subsequently experienced POP. Fecal swabs (n = 215) were collected between gestation days 108-115, DNA was extracted, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing libraries were analyzed using mothur, phyloseq and SAS in reference to PS and POP outcome. Additionally, co-occurrence networks were constructed using CoNet to compare fecal and vaginal microbiota from the same cohort of sows and identify correlations between different taxa. Differences in fecal community composition (PERMANOVA; P < 0.05), structure (alpha diversity measurements; P < 0.05), and 13 individual operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were revealed between PS1 and PS3 assigned sows. No differences in fecal microbiota were detected as a result of POP outcome. However, the abundances of several taxa were correlated across sample collection sites, suggesting the fecal and vaginal microbial communities may be related to one another. Collectively, fewer differences in the fecal microbiota exist in sows with differing risk for POP compared to the vaginal microbiota, suggesting the vaginal microbiome may be more relevant in relation to POP outcome, although correlations between fecal and vaginal communities may provide insight for strategies to combat POP.

Diet modulates strongyle infection and microbiota in the large intestine of horses.

The use of anthelminthic drugs has several drawbacks, including the selection of resistant parasite strains. Alternative avenues to mitigate the negative effects of helminth infection involve dietary interventions that might affect resistance and/or tolerance by improving host immunity, modulating the microbiota, or exerting direct anthelmintic effects. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of diet on strongyle infection in horses, specifically through immune-mediated, microbiota-mediated, or direct anthelmintic effects. Horses that were naturally infected with strongyles were fed either a high-fiber or high-starch diet, supplemented with either polyphenol-rich pellets (dehydrated sainfoin) or control pellets (sunflower and hay). When horses were fed a high-starch diet, they excreted more strongyle eggs. Adding sainfoin in the high-starch diet reduced egg excretion. Additionally, sainfoin decreased larval motility whatever the diet. Moreover, the high-starch diet led to a lower fecal bacterial diversity, structural differences in fecal microbiota, lower fecal pH, lower blood acetate, and lower hematocrit compared to the high-fiber diet. Circulating levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, lipopolysaccharides, procalcitonin, and white blood cells proportions did not differ between diets. Overall, this study highlights the role of dietary manipulations as an alternative strategy to mitigate the effect of helminth infection and suggests that, in addition to the direct effects, changes in the intestinal ecosystem are the possible underlying mechanism.

Fecal microbiota profiles of growing pigs and their relation to growth performance.

The early gut microbiota composition is fundamentally important for piglet health, affecting long-term microbiome development and immunity. In this study, the gut microbiota of postparturient dams was compared with that of their offspring in three Finnish pig farms at three growth phases. The differences in fecal microbiota of three study development groups (Good, Poorly, and PrematureDeath) were analyzed at birth (initial exposure phase), weaning (transitional phase), and before slaughter (stable phase). Dam Lactobacillaceae abundance was lower than in piglets at birth. Limosilactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus amylovorus were dominantly expressed in dams and their offspring. Altogether 17 piglets (68%) were identified with Lactobacillaceae at the initial exposure phase, divided unevenly among the development groups: 85% of Good, 37.5% of Poorly, and 75% of PrematureDeath pigs. The development group Good was identified with the highest microbial diversity, whereas the development group PrematureDeath had the lowest diversity. After weaning, the abundance and versatility of Lactobacillaceae in piglets diminished, shifting towards the microbiome of the dam. In conclusion, the fecal microbiota of pigs tends to develop towards a similar alpha and beta diversity despite development group and rearing environment.

Comparison of the fecal microbiota of adult healthy dogs fed a plant-based (vegan) or an animal-based diet.

Pet guardians are increasingly seeking vegan dog foods. However, research on the impact of these diets on gastrointestinal (GI) physiology and health is limited. In humans, vegan diets modify the GI microbiota, increasing beneficial digestive microorganisms. This study aimed to examine the canine fecal microbiota in response to a vegan diet compared to an animal-based diet. Sixty-one client-owned healthy adult dogs completed a randomized, double-blinded longitudinal study. Dogs were randomly assigned into two groups that were fed either a commercial extruded animal-based diet (MEAT, n = 30) or an experimental extruded vegan diet (PLANT, n = 31) for 12 weeks. Fecal collections occurred at the start of the experimental period and after 3 months of exclusively feeding either diet. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the feces, and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified using PCR and sequenced on Illumina MiSeq. Beta-diversity was measured using Jaccard and Bray-Curtis distances, and the PERMANOVA was used to assess for differences in fecal microbiota within and between groups. Alpha-diversity indices for richness, evenness, and diversity, as well as relative abundance, were calculated and compared between groups. Beta-diversity differences occurred between diet groups at exit time-point with differences on Bray-Curtis distances at the family and genus levels (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively), and for the Jaccard distance at the family and genus level (p = 0.006 and p = 0.011, respectively). Significant differences in alpha-diversity occurred when comparing the PLANT to the MEAT group at the exit time-point with the PLANT group having a lower evenness (p = 0.012), but no significant differences in richness (p = 0.188), or diversity (p = 0.06). At exit-timepoint, compared to the MEAT group, the relative abundance of Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Campylobacter was lower in the PLANT group. The relative abundance of Fusobacterium decreased over time in the PLANT group, while no change was observed in the MEAT group. These results indicate that vegan diets may change the canine gut microbiota. Future studies are warranted to confirm our results and determine long-term effects of vegan diets on the canine gut microbiome.

Fecal microbiota transplanted from old mice promotes more colonic inflammation, proliferation, and tumor formation in azoxymethane-treated A/J mice than microbiota originating from young mice

ABSTRACT Aging is a strong risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). It is well established that gut microbial dysbiosis can play a role in the etiology of CRC. Although the composition of the gut microbial community changes with age and is reported to become more pro-inflammatory, it is unclear whether such changes are also pro-tumorigenic for the colon. To address this gap, we conducted fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) from young (DY, ~6 wk) and old (DO, ~72 wk) donor mice into young (8 wk) recipient mice that were pre-treated with antibiotics. After initiating tumorigenesis with azoxymethane, recipients were maintained for 19 wk during which time they received monthly FMT boosters. Compared to recipients of young donors (RY), recipients of old donors (RO) had an approximately 3-fold higher prevalence of histologically confirmed colon tumors (15.8 vs 50%, Chi2 P = .03), approximately 2-fold higher proliferating colonocytes as well as significantly elevated colonic IL-6, IL-1β and Tnf-α. Transcriptomics analysis of the colonic mucosa revealed a striking upregulation of mitochondria-related genes in the RO mice, a finding corroborated by increased mitochondrial abundance. Amongst the differences in fecal microbiome observed between DY and DO mice, the genera Ruminoclostridium, Lachnoclostridium and Marvinbryantia were more abundant in DY mice while the genera Bacteroides and Akkermansia were more abundant in DO mice. Amongst recipients, Ruminoclostridium and Lachnoclostridium were higher in RY mice while Bacteroides was higher in RO mice. Differences in fecal microbiota were observed between young and old mice, some of which persisted upon transplant into recipient mice. Recipients of old donors displayed significantly higher colonic proliferation, inflammation and tumor abundance compared to recipients of young donors. These findings support an etiological role for altered gut microbial communities in the increased risk for CRC with increasing age and establishes that such risk can be transmitted between individuals.

Is there a difference in fecal microbiota of children with and without voiding dysfunction?

Voiding dysfunction (VD), which encompasses many urinary symptoms that are not caused by neurological or anatomical anomalies, is a frequently encountered functional urinary bladder disorder in children. It was reported that there was an association between lower urinary tract symptoms and fecal microbiota in adult patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the differences in fecal microbiota between children with or without VD. Two patient groups, including 30 patients, were compared. Group 1 included patients with VD, while Group 2 consisted of healthy children. All study participants were asked to fill lower urinary tract and voiding dysfunction symptom score forms with the assistance of their parents. Subsequently, uroflowmetry tests and postvoiding residual urine measurements were performed. Fresh stool samples were collected from all children and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. General bacterial load and presence of Roseburia intestinalis, Clostridium difficile, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Bacteroides clarus were tested. The two groups were significantly different regarding general bacterial load; the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. Clostridium difficile and Bacteroides clarus was not detected in the fresh stool samples of the patients in Group 2; the counts of Roseburia intestinalis were less in Group 1 than in Group 2, although there was no statistically significant difference. There was a negative correlation between symptom scores, general bacterial load, and the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum. However, there was no correlation between the presence of Roseburia intestinalis and symptom scores. There is a potential relationship between VD and a deviation in the fecal microbiota in the pediatric population.

Intestinal Microbes in Patients With Schizophrenia Undergoing Short-Term Treatment: Core Species Identification Based on Co-Occurrence Networks and Regression Analysis.

Schizophrenia, a common mental disorder, has a tremendous impact on the health and economy of people worldwide. Evidence suggests that the microbial-gut-brain axis is an important pathway for the interaction between the gut microbiome and the development of schizophrenia. What is not clear is how changes in the gut microbiota composition and structure during antipsychotic treatment improve the symptoms of schizophrenia. In this study, 25 patients with schizophrenia were recruited. Their fecal samples were collected before and after hospital treatment for 14–19 days. The composition and structure of the intestinal microbiota were evaluated by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, and the results showed significant differences in fecal microbiota before and after treatment. Firmicutes (relative abundances of 82.60 and 86.64%) and Gemminger (relative abundances of 14.17 and 13.57%) were the first dominant species at the phylum and genus levels, respectively. The random forest algorithm and co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated that intestinal flora (especially the core species ASV57) could be used as biomarkers to distinguish different clinical states and match treatment regimens accordingly. In addition, after fecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotic-treated recipient mice showed multiple behavioral improvements. These included decreased psychomotor hyperactivity, increased social interaction, and memory. In conclusion, this study suggests that differences in the composition and structure of gut microbiota after treatment are associated with the development and severity of schizophrenia. Results may provide a potential target for the treatment of this disorder.

Fecal microbiota in congenital chloride diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease.

Background and aimsSubjects with congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD; a defect in solute carrier family 26 member 3 (SLC26A3)) are prone to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated fecal microbiota in CLD and CLD-associated IBD. We also tested whether microbiota is modulated by supplementation with the short-chain fatty acid butyrate.Subjects and methodsWe recruited 30 patients with CLD for an observational 3-week follow-up study. Thereafter, 16 consented to oral butyrate substitution for a 3-week observational period. Fecal samples, collected once a week, were assayed for calprotectin and potential markers of inflammation, and studied by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing and compared to that of 19 healthy controls and 43 controls with Crohn’s disease. Data on intestinal symptoms, diet and quality of life were collected.ResultsPatients with CLD had increased abundances of Proteobacteria, Veillonella, and Prevotella, and lower abundances of normally dominant taxa Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae when compared with healthy controls and Crohn´s disease. No major differences in fecal microbiota were found between CLD and CLD-associated IBD (including two with yet untreated IBD). Butyrate was poorly tolerated and showed no major effects on fecal microbiota or biomarkers in CLD.ConclusionsFecal microbiota in CLD is different from that of healthy subjects or Crohn´s disease. Unexpectedly, no changes in the microbiota or fecal markers characterized CLD-associated IBD, an entity with high frequency among patients with CLD.

Feeding a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product (Olimond BB) Does Not Alter the Fecal Microbiota of Thoroughbred Racehorses.

Feed supplements such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) alter immune responses in horses. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether a prebiotic activity of the SCFP alters the gut microbiome in horses. Racehorses were fed either SCFP (Olimond BB, OLI, n = 6) or placebo pellets (PLA, n = 5) for 43 days. Fecal microbiota analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The numbers and function of circulating immune cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. SCFP supplementation resulted in non-consistent differences in fecal microbiota between the PLA and OLI during the feeding period. Rather, the individual animal had the highest impact on fecal microbiota composition. OLI and PLA horses displayed the same changes in numbers of blood leukocyte subpopulations over time. One day after a booster vaccination against equine influenza during the feeding period, the alpha diversity of fecal microbiota of PLA horses was significantly higher compared to OLI horses. This suggests that SCFP feeding altered the vaccination-induced spectrum of released mediators, potentially affecting gut microbiota. The overall non-consistent findings argue against a strong prebiotic effect of Olimond BB on the microbiota in racehorses. Fecal microbiota differences between the groups were also noticed outside the feeding period and, hence, are most likely not caused by the SCFP additive.

A Link Between Gut Microbiota and Schizophrenia

IntroductionMicroorganisms distributed in our tissues and fluids make up the human microbiota. During our lifetime, gastrointestinal microbiota acts as an important modulator of brain development and, in turn, adult behavior and health. Immune response may be triggered by gut microbiota, releasing mediators that penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB).ObjectivesUnderstanding if gut microbiota can influence schizophrenia pathogenesis. Clarifying how gut microbiota can influence schizophrenia treatment, and vice-versa.MethodsPubMed database search, with “gut microbiota and schizophrenia” keyword expression. Eight articles published in the last ten years were selected among the most recent best match results. Reference lists of articles were reviewed to identify additional articles.ResultsThere could be an association between the development of gut microbiota starting during pregnancy and schizophrenia pathogenesis, through an immune-mediated process. Schwarz et al. (2018) investigated the differences in faecal microbiota between individuals with first-episode psychosis and controls. They found psychotic patients to have an increased amount of Lactobacillus bacteria. Yuan et al. (2018) studied microbiota changes in patients with schizophrenia, before and after treatment. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia had less faecal Bifidobacterium, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus. After treatment with risperidone, there was a significant increase in the amount of fecal Bifidobacterium and E. Coli.ConclusionsMicroorganisms living inside our gastrointestinal tract are vital for proper central nervous system (CNS) development. Patients with schizophrenia have anomalies in the composition of the microbiota. It remains unclear if microbiota changes after treatment further influence the course of the disease.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Metataxonomic and Metabolic Impact of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation From Patients With Pancreatic Cancer Into Germ-Free Mice: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundBody weight (BW) loss is prevalent in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Gut microbiota affects BW and is known to directly shape the host immune responses and antitumor immunity. This pilot study evaluated the link between gut microbiota, metabolic parameters and inflammatory/immune parameters, through the fecal material transplantation (FMT) of PC patients and healthy volunteers into germ-free (GF) mice.MethodsWe transplanted the feces from five PC patients and five age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers into two GF mice each. Mouse BW and energy intake were measured every 1-5 days, oral glucose on day 21, insulin tolerance on day 26, fecal bacterial taxonomic profile by 16S rRNA gene sequencing on day 5, 10, 15 and 30, and gut-associated lymphoid tissue T cells, plasma cytokines and weights of fat and muscle mass at sacrifice (day 34). Results are presented as mean ± SD. The continuous parameters of mice groups were compared by linear univariate regressions, and their bacterial communities by Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA), Bray-Curtis similarity and ANCOM test.ResultsRecipients of feces from PC patients and healthy volunteers had similar BW gain and food intake. Visceral fat was lower in recipients of feces from PC patients than from healthy individuals (0.72 ± 0.17 vs. 0.92 ± 0.14 g; coeff -0.19, 95% CI -0.38, -0.02, p=0.035). The other non-metataxonomic parameters did not differ between groups. In PCoA, microbiota from PC patients clustered apart from those of healthy volunteers and the same pattern was observed in transplanted mice. The proportions of Clostridium bolteae, Clostridium scindens, Clostridium_g24_unclassified and Phascolarctobacterium faecium were higher, while those of Alistipes obesi, Lachnospiraceae PAC000196_s and Coriobacteriaceae_unclassified species were lower in PC patients and in mice transplanted with the feces from these patients.ConclusionIn this pilot study, FMT from PC patients was associated with a decrease in visceral fat as compared to FMT from healthy individuals. Some of the differences in fecal microbiota between PC and control samples are common to humans and mice. Further research is required to confirm that feces contain elements involved in metabolic and immune alterations.

PSVI-11 Effects of dietary supplementation of enzymatic bio-conversion of Scutellaria baicalensis extract as an alternative to antibiotics in growing pigs

Abstract This study was carried out to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of enzymatic bio-conversion of Scuterallia baicalensis (SB) extract on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, fecal gas emission, blood hematology, and antioxidative indicators in growing pigs. A total of 200 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 24.52 ± 1.99 kg were used in a 42-day experiment with a completely randomized block design. Pigs were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 5 animals per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts). There were four diet conditions: 1) CON, basal diet; 2) TRT1, basal diet + 0.1% apramycin; 3) TRT2, basal diet + 0.1% SB extract; 4) TRT3, basal diet + 0.1% enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract. The pen was taken as the experimental unit. Tukey’s multiple range test was used for evaluation of differences among the treatments. Compared with the CON group, TRT1 or TRT3 groups had higher final body weight (BW) (P = 0.074) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.075), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.054). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) (P = 0.095) in TRT1 group was higher than that in CON group. Serum glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (P = 0.047) and glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.074) concentrations in TRT3 group were higher than those in CON or TRT1 groups. However, there were no significant differences in fecal microbiota, fecal gas emission, and blood hematology among all dietary groups. A positive correlation between apramycin supplementation in the diet and ADG and the ATTD of DM were observed. A positive correlation between enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract supplementation in the diet and ADG and the concentration of GPX and GSH in serum were also observed.

The gut microbiome is associated with brain structure and function in schizophrenia

The effect of the gut microbiome on the central nervous system and its possible role in mental disorders have received increasing attention. However, knowledge about the relationship between the gut microbiome and brain structure and function is still very limited. Here, we used 16S rRNA sequencing with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) and resting-state functional (rs-fMRI) to investigate differences in fecal microbiota between 38 patients with schizophrenia (SZ) and 38 demographically matched normal controls (NCs) and explored whether such differences were associated with brain structure and function. At the genus level, we found that the relative abundance of Ruminococcus and Roseburia was significantly lower, whereas the abundance of Veillonella was significantly higher in SZ patients than in NCs. Additionally, the analysis of MRI data revealed that several brain regions showed significantly lower gray matter volume (GMV) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) but significantly higher amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in SZ patients than in NCs. Moreover, the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota showed a strong linear relationship with the values of both GMV and ReHo. In SZ patients, the ReHo indexes in the right STC (r = − 0.35, p = 0.031, FDR corrected p = 0.039), the left cuneus (r = − 0.33, p = 0.044, FDR corrected p = 0.053) and the right MTC (r = − 0.34, p = 0.03, FDR corrected p = 0.052) were negatively correlated with the abundance of the genus Roseburia. Our results suggest that the potential role of the gut microbiome in SZ is related to alterations in brain structure and function. This study provides insights into the underlying neuropathology of SZ.

Sex differences in the phylum\u2010level human gut microbiota composition

BackgroundEvidence was previously provided for sex-related differences in the human gut microbiota composition, and sex-specific discrepancy in hormonal profiles was proposed as a main determinant of these differences. On the basis of these findings, the assumption was made on the role of microbiota in the sexual dimorphism of human diseases. To date, sex differences in fecal microbiota were demonstrated primarily at lower taxonomic levels, whereas phylum-level differences between sexes were reported in few studies only. In the present population-based cross-sectional research, sex differences in the phylum-level human gut microbiota composition were identified in a large (total n = 2301) sample of relatively healthy individuals from Ukraine.ResultsRelative abundances of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, as determined by qRT-PCR, were found to be significantly increased, while that of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in females compared to males. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Females had 31 % higher odds of having F/B ratio more than 1 than males. This trend was evident in all age groups. The difference between sexes was even more pronounced in the elder individuals (50+): in this age group, female participants had 56 % higher odds of having F/B ratio > 1 than the male ones.ConclusionsIn conclusion, sex-specific differences in the phylum-level intestinal microbiota composition were observed in the Ukraine population. The F/B ratio was significantly increased in females compared to males. Further investigation is needed to draw strong conclusions regarding the mechanistic basis for sex-specific differences in the gut microbiota composition and regarding the role of these differences in the initiation and progression of human chronic diseases.

The intestinal microbiota as a predictor for antidepressant treatment outcome in geriatric depression: a prospective pilot study.

(1) To investigate if gut microbiota can be a predictor of remission in geriatric depression and to identify features of the gut microbiota that is associated with remission. (2) To determine if changes in gut microbiota occur with remission in geriatric depression. Secondary analysis of a parent randomized placebo-controlled trial (NCT02466958). Los Angeles, CA, USA (2016-2018). Seventeen subjects with major depressive disorder, over 60 years of age, 41.2% female. Levomilacipran (LVM) or placebo. Remission was defined by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 6 or less at 12 weeks. 16S-ribosomal RNA sequencing based fecal microbiota composition and diversity were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Differences in fecal microbiota were evaluated between remitters and non-remitters as well as between baseline and post-treatment samples. LVM and placebo groups were combined in all the analyses. Baseline microbiota showed no community level α-diversity or β-diversity differences between remitters and non-remitters. At the individual taxa level, a random forest classifier created with nine genera from the baseline microbiota was highly accurate in predicting remission (AUC = .857). Of these, baseline enrichment of Faecalibacterium, Agathobacter and Roseburia relative to a reference frame was associated with treatment outcome of remission. Differential abundance analysis revealed significant genus level changes from baseline to post-treatment in remitters, but not in non-remitters. This is the first study demonstrating fecal microbiota as a potential predictor of treatment response in geriatric depression. Our findings need to be confirmed in larger prospective studies.

Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy and Healthy Co-Grazers.

Simple SummaryEquine atypical myopathy is a muscular disease caused by a plant intoxication, which seems to affect only certain horses sharing a pasture, and the role of the intestinal bacteria (microbiota) in this selective impairment is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to describe and compare fecal microbiota of horses suffering from atypical myopathy and healthy co-grazers. We concluded that fecal microbiota of horses suffering from atypical myopathy is different from their co-grazers and changes are more severe in horses that do not survive the disease. Understanding those changes may help in developing therapeutic and/or preventive strategies for horses at risk for atypical myopathy.Equine atypical myopathy (AM) is caused by hypoglycin A (HGA) and methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG) intoxication resulting from the ingestion of seeds or seedlings of some Acer tree species. Interestingly, not all horses pasturing in the same toxic environment develop signs of the disease. In other species, it has been shown that the intestinal microbiota has an impact on digestion, metabolism, immune stimulation and protection from disease. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare fecal microbiota of horses suffering from AM and healthy co-grazers. Furthermore, potential differences in fecal microbiota regarding the outcome of diseased animals were assessed. This prospective observational study included 59 horses with AM (29 survivors and 30 non-survivors) referred to three Belgian equine hospitals and 26 clinically healthy co-grazers simultaneously sharing contaminated pastures during spring and autumn outbreak periods. Fresh fecal samples (rectal or within 30 min of defecation) were obtained from all horses and bacterial taxonomy profiling obtained by 16S amplicon sequencing was used to identify differentially distributed bacterial taxa between AM-affected horses and healthy co-grazers. Fecal microbial diversity and evenness were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in AM-affected horses as compared with their non-affected co-grazers. The relative abundance of families Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae and Akkermansiaceae were higher (p ≤ 0.001) whereas those of the Lachnospiraceae (p = 0.0053), Bacteroidales (p < 0.0001) and Clostridiales (p = 0.0402) were lower in horses with AM, especially in those with a poor prognosis. While significant shifts were observed, it is still unclear whether they result from the disease or might be involved in the onset of disease pathogenesis.

Effects of dietary supplementation of enzymatic bio-conversion of Scutellaria baicalensis extract as an alternative to antibiotics on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, fecal gas emission, blood hematology, and antioxidative indicators in growing pigs

This study was carried out to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of enzymatic bio-conversion of Scuterallia baicalensis (SB) extract on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, fecal gas emission, blood hematology, and antioxidative indicators in growing pigs. A total of 200 crossbred pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial body weight of 24.52 ± 1.99 kg were used in a 42-day experiment with a completely randomized block design. Pigs were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 5 animals per pen (2 barrows and 3 gilts). There were four diet conditions: 1) CON, basal diet; 2) TRT1, basal diet + 0.1% apramycin; 3) TRT2, basal diet + 0.1% SB extract; 4) TRT3, basal diet + 0.1% enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract. Compared with the CON group, TRT1 or TRT3 groups had higher final body weight (BW) (P = 0.074) and average daily gain (ADG) (P = 0.075), and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.054). The apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM) (P = 0.095) in TRT1 group was higher than that in CON group. Serum glutathione peroxidase (GPX) (P = 0.047) and glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.074) concentrations in TRT3 group were higher than those in CON or TRT1 groups. However, there were no significant differences in fecal microbiota, fecal gas emission, and blood hematology among all dietary groups. A positive correlation between apramycin supplementation in the diet and ADG and the ATTD of DM were observed. A positive correlation between enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract supplementation in the diet and ADG and the concentration of GPX and GSH in serum were also observed. As a result, the enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract has the potential to be used as an alternative to antibiotics due to the comparable effects with apramycin on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood hematology, fecal microbiota, and fecal gas emission, moreover, the enzymatic bio-conversion of SB extract was better than apramycin in the improvement of antioxidative indicators.

Sex is associated with differences in gut microbial composition and function in hepatic encephalopathy

Altered microbiota can affect the gut-liver-brain axis in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but the impact of sex on these changes is unclear. We aimed to determine differences in fecal microbiota composition/functionality between men and women with cirrhosis and HE on differing treatments. Cross-sectional stool microbiome composition (16s rRNA sequencing) and microbial functional analyses were performed in men and women with cirrhosis, and controls. Patients with HE on rifaximin+lactulose (HE-Rif), patients with HE onlactulose only (HE-Lac) and those with cirrhosis without HE (No-HE) were compared to controls using random forest classifier. Men and women were also compared. A total of 761 individuals were included, 619 with cirrhosis (466 men, 153 women) and 142 controls (92 men, 50 women). Men were older and more frequently used proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), but model for end-stage liver disease score, No-HE (n= 319), HE-lac (n= 130) and HE-Rif (n= 170) proportions were similar. PPI/age-adjusted AUC of differentiation between controls vs. all cirrhosis, and controls vs. No-HE were higher within women than men, but the adjusted AUC for No-HE vs. HE-Rif was higher in men. Control vs. HE-Rif differentiation was similar across sexes. Men vs. women were different in all cirrhosis, No-HE and HE-Lac but not HE-Rif on PERMANOVA and AUC analyses. Autochthonous taxa decreased and pathobionts increased with disease progression regardless of sex. In men, Lactobacillaceae were higher in HE-Lac but decreased in HE-Rif, along with Veillonellaceae. Pathways related to glutamate and aromatic compound degradation were higher in men at all stages. Degradation of androstenedione, an estrogenic precursor, was lower in men vs. women in HE-Rif, likely enhancing feminization. There are differences in gut microbial function and composition between men and women with cirrhosis, which could be implicated in differential responses to HE therapies. Further studies linking these differences to sex-specific outcomes are needed. Patients with cirrhosis develop changes in their brain function, and men often develop feminization with disease progression. However, the interaction between sex, microbiota and disease severity is unclear. We found that as disease progressed in men, their microbial composition began to approach that observed in women, with changes in specific microbes that are associated with male hormone metabolism.