Gut Microbiota In Adults Research Articles

Association between gut microbiota and locomotive syndrome risk in healthy Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study examined the association between gut microbiota composition and locomotive syndrome in 568 healthy Japanese adults (36.8% male, median age 58.5 years) using data from the Kanagawa “ME-BYO” Prospective Cohort Study. Locomotive syndrome was assessed using the 5-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-5). Linear discriminant analysis effect size showed an enrichment of Actinobacteria and depletion of Firmicutes in GLFS-5 positive individuals. Classification tree analysis identified three terminal nodes as GLFS-5 positive, with one node involving Holdemania. Participants aged ≥70.0 and <78.0 years who did not consume probiotic foods and had ≥0.04% relative abundance of Holdemania were classified as at risk for locomotive syndrome. Our findings suggest a potential association between gut microbiota, particularly higher Holdemania abundance, and locomotive syndrome in older adults. This study provides insights into the complex relationship between gut microbiome composition and musculoskeletal health in aging populations. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference.

Characteristics of putative keystones in the healthy adult human gut microbiota as determined by correlation network analysis.

Keystone species are thought to play a critical role in determining the structure and function of microbial communities. As they are important candidates for microbiome-targeted interventions, the identification and characterization of keystones is a pressing research goal. Both empirical as well as computational approaches to identify keystones have been proposed, and in particular correlation network analysis is frequently utilized to interrogate sequencing-based microbiome data. Here, we apply an established method for identifying putative keystone taxa in correlation networks. We develop a robust workflow for network construction and systematically evaluate the effects of taxonomic resolution on network properties and the identification of keystone taxa. We are able to identify correlation network keystone species and genera, but could not detect taxa with high keystone potential at lower taxonomic resolution. Based on the correlation patterns observed, we hypothesize that the identified putative keystone taxa have a stabilizing effect that is exerted on correlated taxa. Correlation network analysis further revealed subcommunities present in the dataset that are remarkably similar to previously described patterns. The interrogation of available metatranscriptomes also revealed distinct transcriptional states present in all putative keystone taxa. These results suggest that keystone taxa may have stabilizing properties in a subset of community members rather than global effects. The work presented here contributes to the understanding of correlation network keystone taxa and sheds light on their potential ecological significance.

Beetroot juice intake positively influenced gut microbiota and inflammation but failed to improve functional outcomes in adults with long COVID: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (long COVID) develop in a substantial number of people following an acute COVID-19 episode. Red beetroot juice may have positive effects on multiple pathways involved in long COVID. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the impact of beetroot juice supplementation on physical function, gut microbiota, and systemic inflammation in adults with long COVID. A single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted to test the effects of 14 days of beetroot juice supplementation, rich in nitrates and betalains, on functional and biological outcomes in adults aged between 20 and 60 years with long COVID. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either daily oral supplementation with 200mL beetroot juice (∼600mg nitrate) or placebo (∼60mg nitrate) for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to day 14 in a fatigue resistance test. Secondary outcomes included the distance walked on the 6-min walk test, handgrip strength, and flow-mediated dilation. Secondary endpoints also included changes from baseline in circulating inflammatory mediators and metagenomic and fecal water metabolomic profiles. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models were built to evaluate the differences in biological variables associated with the interventions. Thirty-one participants were randomized in the study. Twenty-five of them (median (interquartile range) age 40 (10), 14 [56%] women), received either beetroot juice (15) or placebo (10) and completed the study. At 14 days, fatigue resistance significantly improved from baseline (mean difference [standard error]:+21.8 [3.7] s; p<0.001) with no significant differences between intervention groups. A significant increase from baseline in the distance walked on the 6-min walk test was observed (mean difference [standard error]:+30.0 [9.4] m; p=0.03), which was not different between groups. Flow-mediated dilation did not differ between participants who received beetroot juice and those on placebo. PLS-DA models allowed correct classification of participants with 92.2±4.4% accuracy. Those who ingested red beetroot juice had a greater abundance of bacteria with well-known beneficial effects, including Akkermansia, Oscillospira, Prevotella, Roseburia, Ruminococcaceae, and Turicibacter, compared with placebo. Participants allocated to beetroot juice supplementation were also characterized by significantly higher levels of fecal nicotinate, trimethylamine, and markers of beetroot juice intake (e.g., 5,6-dihydroxyindole). Finally, higher levels of interferon gamma and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β were found in participants who consumed beetroot juice. Beetroot juice supplementation for two weeks did not to induce significant improvements in functional outcomes in adults with long COVID compared with placebo. Beneficial effects were observed in both gut microbiota composition (i.e., increase in probiotic species) and inflammatory mediators. Trial was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier no. NCT06535165.

Carry-over effects of Bacillus thuringiensis on tolerant Aedes albopictus mosquitoes

BackgroundThe biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis (Bti) represents a safe and effective alternative to chemical insecticides for mosquito control. Efficient control of mosquitoes implicates continuous and extensive application of Bti. This massive use of Bti imposes strong selective pressure, but the complex mode of action of the numerous synergistic Bti endotoxins lower the risk of the emergence of resistance. Although resistance to Bti has not been identified at the population level in nature, some larvae can survive Bti exposure, suggesting tolerance mechanisms. Here we investigated whether Bti-tolerant Aedes albopictus larvae experience any fitness costs. We also studied how this tolerance affects different aspects of the phenotype of the emerging adults that could be relevant for arboviral transmission.MethodsWe exposed Ae. albopictus larvae to lethal concentration of Bti and studied the fitness and gut microbiota of tolerant larvae and their adult counterparts. We further compared the transcript abundance of nine key immunity genes in the gut of Bti-tolerant larvae and their emerging adults versus those not exposed to Bti.ResultsOur results showed that Bti exposure has multifaceted impacts on Ae. albopictus mosquitoes during both larval and adult stages. The carry-over effect of Bti exposure on tolerant larvae manifested in reduced adult emergence rate, shorter lifespan, and decreased fecundity. Bti also alters the gut microbiota of both larvae and adults. We observed higher microbial diversity in Bti-tolerant larvae and changes in the richness of core microbiota. Bti infection and the altered microbiota triggered immune responses in the larval and adult guts.ConclusionsThe observed reduction in mosquito fitness and changes in the composition of the microbiota of adults emerging from tolerant larvae could negatively influence mosquito vectorial capacity. Understanding these impacts is crucial for evaluating the broader implications of Bti-based insecticides in mosquito control programs.Graphical

Composition of gut microbiota in obese and normal-weight Uygur adults and its association with adipocyte-related factors

Obesity is a serious global health issue. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota may contribute to the development of obesity, possibly by instigating inflammatory processes. The objective of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota composition in obese and normal-weight Uygur adults, while examining the associations with adipocyte-related factors and dietary variables. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-seven Uygur adults with obesity and twenty Uygur adults with normal-weight were recruited from a local community. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were collected. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. Adipocyte-related factors were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the gut microbiota composition between the two groups and to identify correlations between gut microbiota and adipocyte-related factors. Compared with the normal-weight group, the obese group exhibited a marked reduction in both diversity and richness of the gut microbiota, alongside a decrease in Ruminococcaceae_UCG_014, Coprococcus_2, and Parabacteroides, and an increase in Megamonas and Lachnoclostridium, implying a potential link to the development of obesity. Individuals with obesity were found to have higher Leptin (LEP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) than normal-weight individuals. Obese Uygur adults exhibited a gut microbiota characterized by diminished diversity and richness relative to normal-weight individuals. Parabacteroides, Megamonas, and Lachnoclostridium may play an important role in the development of obesity in Uygur population. Underlying mechanisms need further investigation.

Characterizing Gut Microbiota in Older Chinese Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Cognitive impairment is a clinical manifestation that occurs in the course of dementia like Alzheimer's disease. The association between cognitive impairment and gut microbiota is unclear. We aimed to identify gut microbiota characteristics and key gut microbiota biomarkers associated with cognitive impairment in a relatively large cohort of older adults in China. A total of 229 adults aged ≥60 years from Shenzhen, China were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into cognitive impairment (CI) and no cognitive impairment (NCI) groups according to the results of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Diversity analysis and network analysis were used to characterize the gut microbiota between the two groups. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method and machine learning approaches were sequentially performed to identify gut microbiota biomarkers. The relationship between biomarkers and lifestyle factors was explored using Transformation-based redundancy analysis (tb-RDA). A total of 74 CI participants and 131 NCI participants were included in the analysis. The CI group demonstrated lower α-diversity compared to the NCI group (Shannon: 2.798 versus 3.152, p < 0.001). The density of the gut microbiota interaction network was lower in the CI group (0.074) compared to the NCI group (0.081). Megamonas, Blautia, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Veillonella were key biomarkers for CI. The tb-RDA revealed that increased fruit intake and exercise contribute to a higher abundance of Megamonas, Blautia, and Veillonella. We identified a significantly reduced abundance of certain beneficial gut microbiota in older Chinese adults with cognitive impairment.

Transient colonizing microbes promote gut dysbiosis and functional impairment

Species composition of the healthy adult gut microbiota tends to be stable over time. Destabilization of the gut microbiome under the influence of different factors is the main driver of the microbial dysbiosis and subsequent impacts on host physiology. Here, we used metagenomics data from a Swedish longitudinal cohort, to determine the stability of the gut microbiome and uncovered two distinct microbial species groups; persistent colonizing species (PCS) and transient colonizing species (TCS). We validated the continuation of this grouping, generating gut metagenomics data for additional time points from the same Swedish cohort. We evaluated the existence of PCS/TCS across different geographical regions and observed they are globally conserved features. To characterize PCS/TCS phenotypes, we performed bioreactor fermentation with faecal samples and metabolic modeling. Finally, using chronic disease gut metagenome and other multi-omics data, we identified roles of TCS in microbial dysbiosis and link with abnormal changes to host physiology.

Associations of Intermittent Hypoxia Burden with Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Adult Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Clinical studies focusing on the association between the gut microbiota and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are limited. This study aimed to explore the relationship between intermittent hypoxia and the composition of gut microbiota in adults by analyzing the differences in the characteristics and functional distribution of gut microbiota between patients with different severities of OSA and healthy individuals. A cohort of 113 individuals from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University underwent overnight polysomnography from July 2019 to August 2021. The individuals included 16 healthy controls and 97 patients with OSA, categorized by the apnea-hypopnea index into mild, moderate, and severe groups. Fecal samples were analyzed using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region to assess gut microbiota composition and function. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate the association between clinical indicators and microbiota markers. In patients with OSA, the gut microbiota diversity and the abundance of specific microbes that produce short-chain fatty acids decreased (P<0.05). The phyla Verrucomicrobia and Candidatus Saccharibacteria, genera Gemmiger and Faecalibacterium, and the species Gemmiger formicilis exhibited decreasing abundance with increasing OSA severity. Correlation analysis revealed a robust association between the proportion of total sleep time, characterized by nighttime blood oxygen saturation below 90%, and the alterations in the gut microbiota, demonstrating that elevated levels of desaturation are correlated with pronounced microbiota dysbiosis (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the intermittent hypoxia exhibited by patients with OSA may be related to alterations in the composition and structure of the gut microbiota. Our results demonstrate the importance of monitoring hypoxia indicators in future clinical practice.

Effects of oat &amp;beta;-glucan&amp;ndash;based prebiotic blended formulas on defecation and gut microbiota in Chinese adults: a randomized clinical trial

Effects of oat <em>&amp;beta;-</em>glucan&amp;ndash;based prebiotic blended formulas on defecation and gut microbiota in Chinese adults: a randomized clinical trial

Two-Year Study on the Intra-Individual Dynamics of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Profiles in Healthy Adults.

While the gut microbiome has been intensively investigated for more than twenty years already, its role in various disorders remains to be unraveled. At the same time, questions about what changes in the gut microbiota can be considered as normal or pathological and whether communities are able to recover after exposure to negative factors (diseases, medications, environmental factors) are still unclear. Here, we describe changes in the gut microbiota composition and the content of short-chain fatty acids in adult healthy volunteers (n = 15) over a 24 month-period. Intraindividual variability in gut microbial composition was 40%, whereas the short chain fatty acids profile remained relatively stable (2-year variability 20%, inter-individual 26%). The changes tend to accumulate over time. Nevertheless, both short-term and long-term changes in the gut microbiome composition were significantly smaller within individuals than interindividual differences (two-year interindividual variability was 75%). Seasonal changes in gut microbiota were found more often in autumn and spring involving the content of minor representatives (less than 1.5% of the community in average) in the phyla Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria.

Alterations in Vagal Tone Are Associated with Changes in the Gut Microbiota of Adults with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms: Analysis of Fecal Metabolite Profiles.

Accumulating evidence suggests that interactions between the brain and gut microbiota significantly impact brain function and mental health. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether young, healthy adults without psychiatric diagnoses exhibit differences in metabolic stool and microbiota profiles based on depression/anxiety scores and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics was used to identify fecal metabolic profiles. Results were subjected to multivariate analysis through principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and the metabolites were identified through VIP score. Metabolites separating asymptomatic and symptomatic groups were acetate, valine, and glutamate, followed by sugar regions, glutamine, acetone, valerate, and acetoacetate. The main metabolites identified in high vagal tone (HVT) and low vagal tone (LVT) groups were acetate, valerate, and glutamate, followed by propionate and butyrate. In addition to the metabolites identified by the PLS-DA test, significant differences in aspartate, sarcosine, malate, and methionine were observed between the groups. Levels of acetoacetate were higher in both symptomatic and LVT groups. Valerate levels were significantly increased in the symptomatic group, while isovalerate, propionate, glutamate, and acetone levels were significantly increased in the LVT group. Furthermore, distinct abundance between groups was only confirmed for the Firmicutes phylum. Differences between participants with high and low vagal tone suggest that certain metabolites are involved in communication between the vagus nerve and the brain.

Air pollution, gut microbiota, and cognitive function alteration in older adults

Air pollution, gut microbiota, and cognitive function alteration in older adults

Prebiotics improve frailty status in community-dwelling older individuals in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUNDFrailty significantly affects morbidity and mortality rates in the older population (age >65 years). Age-related degenerative diseases are influenced by the intestinal microbiota. However, limited research exists on alterations in the intestinal microbiota in frail older individuals, and the effectiveness of prebiotic intervention for treating frailty remains uncertain.OBJECTIVEWe sought to examine the biological characteristics of the intestinal microbiome in frail older individuals and assess changes in both frailty status and gut microbiota following intervention with a prebiotic blend consisting of inulin and oligofructose.METHODSThe study consisted of 3 components: an observational analysis with a sample size of 1,693, a cross-sectional analysis (n = 300), and a multicenter double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial (n = 200). Body composition, commonly used scales, biochemical markers, intestinal microbiota, and metabolites were examined in 3 groups of older individuals (nonfrail, prefrail, and frail). Subsequently, changes in these indicators were reevaluated after a 3-month intervention using the prebiotic mixture for the prefrail and frail groups.RESULTSThe intervention utilizing a combination of prebiotics significantly improved frailty and renal function among the older population, leading to notable increases in protein levels, body fat percentage, walking speed, and grip strength. Additionally, it stimulated an elevation in gut probiotic count and induced alterations in microbial metabolite expression levels as well as corresponding metabolic pathways.CONCLUSIONSThe findings suggest a potential link between changes in the gut microbiota and frailty in older adults. Prebiotics have the potential to modify the gut microbiota and metabolome, resulting in improved frailty status and prevention of its occurrence.TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials.gov NCT03995342.

Impact of Microbiota and Metabolites on Intestinal Integrity and Inflammation in Severe Obesity.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease associated with low-grade inflammation. The gut is thought to be involved in obesity-related inflammation, as it is continuously exposed to antigens from food, microbiota and metabolites. However, the exact underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, we examined the relation between gut pathology, microbiota, its metabolites and cytokines in adults with severe obesity. Individuals eligible for bariatric surgery were included. Fecal and plasma samples were collected at surgery timepoint, to assess microbiota and metabolite composition. Jejunal biopsies were collected during surgery and stained for cytotoxic T cells, macrophages, mast cells and tight junction component zonula occludens-1. Based on these stainings, the cohort was divided into four groups: high versus low intestinal inflammation and high versus low intestinal integrity. We found no significant differences in microbiota diversity between groups, nor for individual bacterial species. No significant differences in metabolites were observed between the intestinal inflammatory groups. However, some metabolites and cytokines differed between the intestinal integrity groups. Higher plasma levels of interleukin-8 and tauro-chenodeoxycholic acid were found, whereas isovaleric acid and acetic acid were lower in the high intestinal integrity group. As the results were very subtle, we suggest that our cohort shows very early and minor intestinal pathology.

Impact of Combined Prebiotic Galacto-Oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium breve-Derived Postbiotic on Gut Microbiota and HbA1c in Prediabetic Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

The complex interactions between intestinal microbiota and metabolic disorders are well-documented, with implications for glucose metabolism, energy expenditure, and intestinal permeability. Prebiotics induce beneficial changes in gut microbiota composition in prediabetes, while postbiotics can enhance gut barrier function, complementing each other to improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week dietary fibre (DF) supplement on gut health, metabolic function, and diet. The supplement contained konjac glucomannan (KGM), galacto-oligosaccharides (GOSs), and exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from Bifidobacterium breve. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, 53 prediabetic volunteers were randomly assigned to either a daily DF supplement (YMETA) or a placebo (cellulose microcrystalline) for 12 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up. Measurements included gut microbiota composition, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma lipids, anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, and dietary intake. The intervention group showed a significant increase in alpha diversity and butyrate-producing bacteria, with reductions in HbA1c and FPG levels below prediabetes thresholds. No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. This study suggests that manipulating the human gut microbiome through dietary interventions could be a promising therapeutic approach to managing prediabetes and preventing or delaying diabetes.

Take-out food enhances the risk of MPs ingestion and obesity, altering the gut microbiome in young adults

Young people are consuming large amounts of microplastics (MPs) due to the booming development of the take-out industry. To investigate the association between MPs exposure and obesity, 121 volunteers were divided into high MPs exposure (HME) and low MPs exposure (LME) according to the frequency of take-out food consumption. Fecal samples were collected for MPs detection using Raman spectra analysis, and identification of the gut microbiota was based on 16 S rDNA/ITS, while metabolite analysis was performed by LC-MS/MS. High levels of MPs and body mass index (BMI) were observed in the HME group (P < 0.05). Both the multiple linear regression (MLR) model and the binary logistic regression (BLR) (OR: 1.264, 95 % CI: 1.108–1.441, P < 0.001) analysis showed a positive correlation between MPs content and BMI. Microbial community analysis revealed that Veillonella, Alistipes and Dothideomycotes (pathogenic fungi) increased in HME participants, whereas Faecalibacterium and Coprococcus decreased. Meanwhile, analysis of stool metabolites showed that vancomycin resistance, selenocompound metabolism and drug metabolism pathways were enhanced in HME participants. These findings indicate that frequent consumption of take-out food may elevate the intake of microplastics, consequently modifying the gut microbiota and metabolites of young adults, and could represent a potential risk factor for obesity.

Gut microbiota in adults with cystic fibrosis: Implications for the severity of the CFTR gene mutation and nutritional status

BackgroundMicrobial dysbiosis has been linked to cystic fibrosis (CF); however, the composition of gut microbiota in adult CF patients in relation to severity of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation and nutritional status have not yet been explored. Study aimed to assess the gut microbiota composition in adults with CF, and its relationship with the severity of CFTR mutations, and BMI. MethodsGut microbiota of 41 adults with CF, and 26 non-CF controls were compared using whole 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Differences in the microbial community between groups of patients classified according to the severity of CFTR mutations, and BMI were assessed. The alpha diversity, beta diversity, and taxa abundance were identified to reflect gut microbiota composition. ResultsResults showed a significant decrease in alpha diversity of bacterial communities in CF compared to non-CF group, but no significant difference between the CF groups distinguished by the severity of CFTR mutations. However, more severe mutations were associated with the higher relative abundance of Bacteroides and Streptococcus and the lower relative abundance of Faecalibacterium and Blautia. Undernourished CF patients showed significantly lower alpha diversity compared to non-CF group and CF patients with BMI within the norm. Significant differences in the structure of the gut microbiota between CF and non-CF groups, as well as between BMI groups were also found. ConclusionsOur research indicates that CF is associated with alterations in gut microbiota in adults. Additionally, in adult CF patients, the composition of the gut microbiota is also related to BMI.

Evaluating the Effects of Corn Flour Product Consumption on Cardiometabolic Outcomes and the Gut Microbiota in Adults with Elevated Cholesterol: A Randomized Crossover

BackgroundConsumption of whole grains is associated with a reduction in chronic diseases and offers benefits for cardiovascular health and metabolic regulation. The relationship between whole-grain corn and corn bran with the gut microbiota (GM) remains an area of growing interest, particularly regarding their influence on cardiometabolic health. ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of different corn flours on cardiometabolic outcomes and GM changes in adults with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) concentrations. MethodsIn this crossover study, 36 adults with LDL cholesterol above 110 mg/dL consumed 48 g/d of 3 corn flour types for 4 wk: whole-grain corn meal, refined corn meal (RCM), and a blend of RCM and corn bran (RCM + B). We assessed the impact on cardiometabolic markers [LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol), total cholesterol, and triglycerides)] and GM composition and estimated function. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects modeling and responder (>5% decrease in LDL cholesterol) analysis to evaluate changes in GM related to lipid profile improvements. ResultsOf the 3 corn flour types, only RCM + B significantly decreased LDL cholesterol over time (–10.4 ± 3.6 mg/dL, P = 0.005) and marginally decreased total cholesterol (–9.2 ± 3.9 mg/dL, P = 0.072) over time. There were no significant effects on HDL cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations. No significant changes were observed in GM alpha diversity, whereas beta diversity metrics indicated individual variability. Two genera, unclassified Lachnospiraceae and Agathobaculum (Padj ≤ 0.096), differed significantly by treatment, but only Agathobaculum remained significantly elevated in the whole-grain corn meal, compared to RCM and RCM + B, after adjustment for multiple comparisons. ConclusionsThe type of corn flour, particularly RCM + B, notably influenced LDL cholesterol concentrations in adults with elevated LDL cholesterol. This study suggests that incorporating milled fractions (e.g., bran) of whole-grain corn with refined corn flour may be a viable alternative to supplementing manufactured grain products with isolated or synthetic fibers for improved metabolic health.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03967990.

16S rRNA gene sequencing reveals altered gut microbiota in young adults with schizophrenia and prominent negative symptoms.

Gut dysbiosis has been established as a characteristic of schizophrenia (SCH). However, the signatures regarding SCH patients with prominent negative symptoms (SCH-N) in young adults have been poorly elucidated. Stool samples were obtained from 30 young adults with SCH-N, 32 SCH patients with prominent positive symptoms (SCH-P) along with 36 healthy controls (HCs). Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Meanwhile, psychiatric symptoms were assessed by the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). There is a significant difference in β-diversity but not α-diversity indexes among the three groups. Moreover, we found a higher abundance of Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria phyla and a lower abundance of Firmicutes phyla in SCH-N when compared with HC. Besides, we identified a diagnostic potential panel comprising six genera (Coprococcus, Monoglobus, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Escherichia-Shigella, Dorea, and Butyricicoccus) that can distinguish SCH-N from HC (area under the curve=0.939). However, the difference in microbial composition between the SCH-N and SCH-P is much less than that between SCH-N and the HC, and SCH-N and SCH-P cannot be effectively distinguished by gut microbiota. The composition of gut microbiota was changed in the patients with SCH-N, which may help in further understanding of pathogenesis in young adults with SCH-N.

The Gut and the Translocated Microbiomes in HIV Infection: Current Concepts and Future Avenues.

It is widely acknowledged that HIV infection results in disruption of the gut's mucosal integrity partly due a profound loss of gastrointestinal CD4+ T cells that are targets of the virus. In addition, systemic inflammation and immune activation that drive disease pathogenesis are reduced but not normalized by antiretroviral therapy (ART). It has long been postulated that through the process of microbial translocation, the gut microbiome acts as a key driver of systemic inflammation and immune recovery in HIV infection. As such, many studies have aimed at characterizing the gut microbiota in order to unravel its influence in people with HIV and have reported an association between various bacterial taxa and inflammation. This review assesses both contra-dictory and consistent findings among several studies in order to clarify the overall mechanisms by which the gut microbiota in adults may influence immune recovery in HIV infection. Independently of the gut microbiome, observations made from analysis of microbial products in the blood provide direct insight into how the translocated microbiome may drive immune recovery. To help better understand strengths and limitations of the findings reported, this review also highlights the numerous factors that can influence microbiome studies, be they experimental methodologies, and host-intrinsic or host-extrinsic factors. Altogether, a fuller understanding of the interplay between the gut microbiome and immunity in HIV infection may contribute to preventive and therapeutic approaches.