scholarly journals Alterations of gut microbiota composition in post-finasteride patients: a pilot study

Author(s):  
F. Borgo ◽  
A. D. Macandog ◽  
S. Diviccaro ◽  
E. Falvo ◽  
S. Giatti ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) has been reported in a subset of patients treated with finasteride (an inhibitor of the enzyme 5alpha-reductase) for androgenetic alopecia. These patients showed, despite the suspension of the treatment, a variety of persistent symptoms, like sexual dysfunction and cognitive and psychological disorders, including depression. A growing body of literature highlights the relevance of the gut microbiota-brain axis in human health and disease. For instance, alterations in gut microbiota composition have been reported in patients with major depressive disorder. Therefore, we have here analyzed the gut microbiota composition in PFS patients in comparison with a healthy cohort. Methods Fecal microbiota of 23 PFS patients was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and compared with that reported in ten healthy male subjects. Results Sexual dysfunction, psychological and cognitive complaints, muscular problems, and physical alterations symptoms were reported in more than half of the PFS patients at the moment of sample collection. The quality sequence check revealed a low library depth for two fecal samples. Therefore, the gut microbiota analyses were conducted on 21 patients. The α-diversity was significantly lower in PFS group, showing a reduction of richness and diversity of gut microbiota structure. Moreover, when visualizing β-diversity, a clustering effect was found in the gut microbiota of a subset of PFS subjects, which was also characterized by a reduction in Faecalibacterium spp. and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, while Alloprevotella and Odoribacter spp were increased compared to healthy control. Conclusion Gut microbiota population is altered in PFS patients, suggesting that it might represent a diagnostic marker and a possible therapeutic target for this syndrome.

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 650-660 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Liu ◽  
Jing Tao ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Xiaolin Cao ◽  
Yong Li ◽  
...  

Background The gut microbiota plays an important role in shaping the immune system and may be closely connected to the development of allergic diseases. Objective This study aimed to determine the gut microbiota composition in Chinese allergic rhinitis (AR) patients as compared with healthy controls (HCs). Methods We collected stool samples from 93 AR patients and 72 age- and sex-matched HCs. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using QIIME targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Functional pathways were predicted using Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States. Statistical analysis was performed using the R program, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe), analysis of QIIME, and statistical analysis of metagenomic profiles, among other tests. Results Compared with HCs, AR patients had significantly lower gut-microbiota α-diversity ( P < .001). The gut microbiota composition significantly differed between the 2 study groups. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was higher while those of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were lower in the AR group than in the HC group ( P < .001, q < 0.001). At the genus level, Escherichia-Shigella, Prevotella, and Parabacteroides ( P < .001, q < 0.001) had significantly higher relative abundances in the AR group than in the HC group. LefSe analysis indicated that Escherichia-Shigella, Lachnoclostridium, Parabacteroides, and Dialister were potential biomarkers for AR. In addition, predictive metagenome functional analysis showed that pyruvate, porphyrin, chlorophyll, purine metabolism, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis significantly differed between the AR and HC groups. Conclusion A comparison of the gut microbiota of AR patients and HCs suggested that dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota is involved in the development of AR. The present results may reveal key differences and identify targets for preventive or therapeutic intervention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason R. Catanzaro ◽  
Juliet D. Strauss ◽  
Agata Bielecka ◽  
Anthony F. Porto ◽  
Francis M. Lobo ◽  
...  

Abstract Immunoglobulin A is the dominant antibody isotype found in mucosal secretions and enforces host-microbiota symbiosis in mice, yet selective IgA-deficiency (sIgAd) in humans is often described as asymptomatic. Here, we determined the effects of IgA deficiency on human gut microbiota composition and evaluated the possibility that mucosal secretion of IgM can compensate for a lack of secretory IgA. We used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bacterial cell sorting to evaluate gut microbiota composition and taxa-specific antibody coating of the gut microbiota in 15 sIgAd subjects and matched controls. Despite the secretion of compensatory IgM into the gut lumen, sIgAd subjects displayed an altered gut microbiota composition as compared to healthy controls. These alterations were characterized by a trend towards decreased overall microbial diversity as well as significant shifts in the relative abundances of specific microbial taxa. While secretory IgA in healthy controls targeted a defined subset of the microbiota via high-level coating, compensatory IgM in sIgAd subjects showed less specificity than IgA and bound a broader subset of the microbiota. We conclude that IgA plays a critical and non-redundant role in controlling gut microbiota composition in humans and that secretory IgA has evolved to maintain a diverse and stable gut microbial community.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Goldberg ◽  
Hadar Mor ◽  
Dafna Magid Neriya ◽  
Faiga Magzal ◽  
Efrat Muller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiple studies suggest a key role for gut microbiota in IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) development, but to date, none has studied it in the persistent state. Methods To characterize the gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) profiles associated with major food allergy groups, we recruited 233 patients with FA including milk (N = 66), sesame (N = 38), peanut (N = 71), and tree nuts (N = 58), and non-allergic controls (N = 58). DNA was isolated from fecal samples, and 16S rRNA gene sequences were analyzed. SCFAs in stool were analyzed from patients with a single allergy (N = 84) and controls (N = 31). Results The gut microbiota composition of allergic patients was significantly different compared to age-matched controls both in α-diversity and β-diversity. Distinct microbial signatures were noted for FA to different foods. Prevotella copri (P. copri) was the most overrepresented species in non-allergic controls. SCFAs levels were significantly higher in the non-allergic compared to the FA groups, whereas P. copri significantly correlated with all three SCFAs. We used these microbial differences to distinguish between FA patients and non-allergic healthy controls with an area under the curve of 0.90, and for the classification of FA patients according to their FA types using a supervised learning algorithm. Bacteroides and P. copri were identified as taxa potentially contributing to KEGG acetate-related pathways enriched in non-allergic compared to FA. In addition, overall pathway dissimilarities were found among different FAs. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a link between IgE-mediated FA and the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota.


Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Lee ◽  
Mohamed Mannaa ◽  
Yunkyung Kim ◽  
Jehun Kim ◽  
Geun-Tae Kim ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between the gut microbiota composition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with osteoarthritis (OA). Stool samples from nine RA patients and nine OA patients were collected, and DNA was extracted. The gut microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The structures and differences in the gut microbiome between RA and OA were analyzed. The analysis of diversity revealed no differences in the complexity of samples. The RA group had a lower Bacteroidetes: Firmicutes ratio than did the OA group. Lactobacilli and Prevotella, particularly Prevotella copri, were more abundant in the RA than in the OA group, although these differences were not statistically significant. The relative abundance of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium was lower in the RA group. At the species level, the abundance of certain bacterial species was significantly lower in the RA group, such as Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans, Dialister invisus, Clostridium leptum, Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans, Anaerotruncus colihominis, Bacteroides faecichinchillae, Harryflintia acetispora, Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Christensenella minuta. The microbial properties of the gut differed between RA and OA patients, and the RA dysbiosis revealed results similar to those of other autoimmune diseases, suggesting that a specific gut microbiota pattern is related to autoimmunity.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Jiang ◽  
Xin He ◽  
Marc Valitutto ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Qin Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background:The Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) is an endangered bird species, with a wild population restricted to the mountains of southwest China, and only one known captive population in the world. We investigated the fecal microbiota and metabolome of wild and captive Chinese monals to explore differences and similarities in nutritional status and digestive characteristics. An integrated approach combining 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) based metabolomics were used to examine the fecal microbiota composition and the metabolomic profile of Chinese monals. Results: The results showed that the alpha diversity of gut microbes in the wild group were significantly higher than that in the captive group and the core bacterial taxa in the two groups showed remarkable differences at phylum, class, order, and family levels. Metabolomic profiling also revealed differences, mainly related to galactose, starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid, bile acid biosynthesis and bile secretion. Furthermore, strong correlations of metabolite types and bacterial genus were detected. Conclusions: There were remarkable differences in the gut microbiota composition and metabolomic profile between wild and captive Chinese monals. This study has established a baseline for a normal gut microbiota and metabolomic profile for wild Chinese monals, thus allowing us to evaluate if differences seen in captive organisms have an impact on their overall health and reproduction.


Author(s):  
Alinne P. Castro ◽  
Keemilyn K. S. Silva ◽  
Claudia S. A. Medeiros ◽  
Fernanda Alves ◽  
Ronaldo C. Araujo ◽  
...  

In addition to its health benefits, exercise training has been pointed out as modulator of the gut microbiota. However, the effects of resistance training (RT) on gut microbiota composition remain unknown. Wistar rats underwent 12 weeks of RT. Body weight, glucose tolerance test, visceral body fat, triglyceride concentration, and food consumption were evaluated. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Rats that underwent RT showed lower body weight (p=0.0005), lower fat content (p=0.02), and better glucose kinetics (p=0.047) when compared to the control. Improvements in the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota were identified in the RT group. The relative abundance of Pseudomonas, Serratia, and Comamonas decreased significantly after 12 weeks of RT (p&lt;0.001). These results suggest that RT has the potential to enhance the diversity of the gut microbiota and improve its biological functions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1723
Author(s):  
Jacques Gonzales ◽  
Justine Marchix ◽  
Laetitia Aymeric ◽  
Catherine Le Berre-Scoul ◽  
Johanna Zoppi ◽  
...  

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders defined by impaired social interactions and communication with repetitive behaviors, activities, or interests. Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and gut microbiota dysbiosis are frequently associated with ASD in childhood. However, it is not known whether microbiota dysbiosis in ASD patients also occurs in adulthood. Further, the consequences of altered gut microbiota on digestive functions and the enteric nervous system (ENS) remain unexplored. Therefore, we studied, in mice, the ability offecal supernatant (FS) from adult ASD patients to induce GI dysfunctions and ENS remodeling. First, the analyses of the fecal microbiota composition in adult ASD patients indicated a reduced α-diversity and increased abundance of three bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variants compared to healthy controls (HC). The transfer of FS from ASD patients (FS–ASD) to mice decreased colonic barrier permeability by 29% and 58% compared to FS–HC for paracellular and transcellular permeability, respectively. These effects are associated with the reduced expression of the tight junction proteins JAM-A, ZO-2, cingulin, and proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL1β. In addition, the expression of glial and neuronal molecules was reduced by FS–ASD as compared to FS-HC in particular for those involved in neuronal connectivity (βIII-tubulin and synapsin decreased by 31% and 67%, respectively). Our data suggest that changes in microbiota composition in ASD may contribute to GI alterations, and in part, via ENS remodeling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1381
Author(s):  
Han-Na Kim ◽  
Jae-Heon Kim ◽  
Yoosoo Chang ◽  
Dongmin Yang ◽  
Hyung-Lae Kim ◽  
...  

Animal studies have shown the interaction between androgens and the gut microbiome directly and indirectly; however, limited evidence from human studies is available. To evaluate the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels within the normal range, reflective of androgen receptor activity, and the gut microbiota composition, a cross-sectional analysis was performed in 759 Korean men aged between 25 and 78 years with normal PSA levels of ≤4.0 ng/mL. We evaluated the biodiversity of gut microbiota as well as the taxonomic and functional signatures associated with PSA levels using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. PSA levels within the normal range were categorized into three groups: lowest quartile (G1), interquartile range (G2, reference), and highest quartile (G3). The G3 group had higher microbial richness than the G2 group, although it was dominated by a few bacteria. An increase in Escherichia/Shigella abundance and a reduction in Megamonas abundance in the G3 group were also detected. A U-shaped relationship was observed between the three groups across most analyses, including biodiversity, taxonomic composition, and inferred pathways in the gut microbiota. This study showed different microbiota patterns across PSA levels within the normal range. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of microbiota in regulating PSA levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dandan Jiang ◽  
Xin He ◽  
Marc Valitutto ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Qin Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) is an endangered bird species, with a wild population restricted to the mountains in southwest China, and only one known captive population in the world. We investigated the fecal microbiota and metabolome of wild and captive Chinese monals to explore differences and similarities in nutritional status and digestive characteristics. An integrated approach combining 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) based metabolomics were used to examine the fecal microbiota composition and the metabolomic profile of Chinese monals. Results The results showed that the alpha diversity of gut microbes in the wild group were significantly higher than that in the captive group and the core bacterial taxa in the two groups showed remarkable differences at phylum, class, order, and family levels. Metabolomic profiling also revealed differences, mainly related to galactose, starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid, bile acid biosynthesis and bile secretion. Furthermore, strong correlations between metabolite types and bacterial genus were detected. Conclusions There were remarkable differences in the gut microbiota composition and metabolomic profile between wild and captive Chinese monals. This study has established a baseline for a normal gut microbiota and metabolomic profile for wild Chinese monals, thus allowing us to evaluate if differences seen in captive organisms have an impact on their overall health and reproduction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Ye ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
Huaqian Zhu ◽  
Dahai Wang ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  

Vortioxetine hydrobromide is a common clinical medication for major depressive disorder (MDD). However, it remains unclear whether vortioxetine hydrobromide acts by affecting the structure and composition of gut microbiota. Here, we analyzed fecal samples from 28 healthy controls (HCs) and 26 patients with MDD before treatment with vortioxetine hydrobromide, at 4 weeks after treatment, and at 8 weeks after treatment. High-throughput pyrosequencing showed that, according to the Chao1 and Shannon indices, fecal bacterial α-diversity was higher in the patients with MDD than in the HCs (p &lt; 0.05), but no significant differences were observed after vortioxetine hydrobromide treatment (p &gt; 0.05). PCoA results revealed that the gut microbiota composition was significantly different between the MDD groups and HCs. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were strongly increased, whereas Firmicutes were significantly reduced in the MDD group compared with the HCs. After treatment with vortioxetine hydrobromide, Firmicutes were significantly increased, and the proportion of Bacteroidetes decreased. Most notably, Lachnospira, Roseburia, and Faecalibacterium were negatively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms. Taken together, our data indicate changes in the fecal microbiota composition in MDD patients compared with HCs, and vortioxetine hydrobromide may treat MDD through regulation of the gut microflora.


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