Response of Gut Microbiota to Fasting and Hibernation in Syrian Hamsters

ABSTRACT Although hibernating mammals wake occasionally to eat during torpor, this period represents a state of fasting. Fasting is known to alter the gut microbiota in nonhibernating mammals; therefore, hibernation may also affect the gut microbiota. However, there are few reports of gut microbiota in hibernating mammals. The present study aimed to compare the gut microbiota in hibernating torpid Syrian hamsters with that in active counterparts by using culture-independent analyses. Hamsters were allocated to either torpid, fed active, or fasted active groups. Hibernation was successfully induced by maintaining darkness at 4°C. Flow cytometry analysis of cecal bacteria showed that 96-h fasting reduced the total gut bacteria. This period of fasting also reduced the concentrations of short chain fatty acids in the cecal contents. In contrast, total bacterial numbers and concentrations of short chain fatty acids were unaffected by hibernation. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments indicated that fasting and hibernation modulated the cecal microbiota. Analysis of 16S rRNA clone library and species-specific real-time quantitative PCR showed that the class Clostridia predominated in both active and torpid hamsters and that populations of Akkermansia muciniphila, a mucin degrader, were increased by fasting but not by hibernation. From these results, we conclude that the gut microbiota responds differently to fasting and hibernation in Syrian hamsters.

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Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids Are Not Predictive of Colonic Tumor Status and Cannot Be Predicted Based on Bacterial Community Structure

mBio ◽

10.1128/mbio.01454-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marc A. Sze ◽

Begüm D. Topçuoğlu ◽

Nicholas A. Lesniak ◽

Mack T. Ruffin ◽

Patrick D. Schloss

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

Short Chain ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

ABSTRACT Colonic bacterial populations are thought to have a role in the development of colorectal cancer with some protecting against inflammation and others exacerbating inflammation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and are produced in large quantities by colonic bacteria that produce SCFAs by fermenting fiber. We assessed whether there was an association between fecal SCFA concentrations and the presence of colonic adenomas or carcinomas in a cohort of individuals using 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic shotgun sequence data. We measured the fecal concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate within the cohort and found that there were no significant associations between SCFA concentration and tumor status. When we incorporated these concentrations into random forest classification models trained to differentiate between people with healthy colons and those with adenomas or carcinomas, we found that they did not significantly improve the ability of 16S rRNA gene or metagenomic gene sequence-based models to classify individuals. Finally, we generated random forest regression models trained to predict the concentration of each SCFA based on 16S rRNA gene or metagenomic gene sequence data from the same samples. These models performed poorly and were able to explain at most 14% of the observed variation in the SCFA concentrations. These results support the broader epidemiological data that questions the value of fiber consumption for reducing the risks of colorectal cancer. Although other bacterial metabolites may serve as biomarkers to detect adenomas or carcinomas, fecal SCFA concentrations have limited predictive power. IMPORTANCE Considering that colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer-related cause of death within the United States, it is important to detect colorectal tumors early and to prevent the formation of tumors. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are often used as a surrogate for measuring gut health and for being anticarcinogenic because of their anti-inflammatory properties. We evaluated the fecal SCFA concentrations of a cohort of individuals with different colonic tumor burdens who were previously analyzed to identify microbiome-based biomarkers of tumors. We were unable to find an association between SCFA concentration and tumor burden or use SCFAs to improve our microbiome-based models of classifying people based on their tumor status. Furthermore, we were unable to find an association between the fecal community structure and SCFA concentrations. Our results indicate that the association between fecal SCFAs, the gut microbiome, and tumor burden is weak.

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Associations between disordered gut microbiota and changes of neurotransmitters and short-chain fatty acids in depressed mice

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-020-01038-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Min Wu ◽

Tian Tian ◽

Qiang Mao ◽

Tao Zou ◽

Chan-juan Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Acetic Acid ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Microbial Composition ◽

Fecal Samples ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract Mounting evidence suggests that gut microbiota can play an important role in pathophysiology of depression, but its specific molecular mechanisms are still unclear. This study was conducted to explore the associations between changes in neurotransmitters and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and altered gut microbiota in depressed mice. Here, the chronic restraint stress (CRS) model of depression was built. The classical behavioral tests were conducted to assess the depressive-like behaviors of mice. The 16S rRNA gene sequence extracted from fecal samples was used to assess the gut microbial composition. Liquid and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy were used to identify neurotransmitters in hypothalamus and SCFAs in fecal samples, respectively. Finally, 29 differential bacteria taxa between depressed mice and control mice were identified, and the most differentially abundant bacteria taxa were genus Allobaculum and family Ruminococcaceae between the two groups. The acetic acid, propionic acid, pentanoic acid, norepinephrine, 5-HIAA and 5-HT were significantly decreased in depressed mice compared to control mice. Genus Allobaculum was found to be significantly positively correlated with acetic acid and 5-HT. Taken together, these results provided novel microbial and metabolic frameworks for understanding the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in depression, and suggested new insights to pave the way for novel therapeutic methods.

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Fecal short-chain fatty acids are not predictive of colonic tumor status and cannot be predicted based on bacterial community structure

10.1101/604678 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Marc A. Sze ◽

Begüm D. Topçuoğlu ◽

Nicholas A. Lesniak ◽

Mack T. Ruffin ◽

Patrick D. Schloss

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

16S Rrna ◽

16S Rrna Gene ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Tumor Burden ◽

Short Chain ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

AbstractColonic bacterial populations are thought to have a role in the development of colorectal cancer with some protecting against inflammation and others exacerbating inflammation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and are produced in large quantities by colonic bacteria which produce SCFAs by fermenting fiber. We assessed whether there was an association between fecal SCFA concentrations and the presence of colonic adenomas or carcinomas in a cohort of individuals using 16S rRNA gene and metagenomic shotgun sequence data. We measured the fecal concentrations of acetate, propionate, and butyrate within the cohort and found that there were no significant associations between SCFA concentration and tumor status. When we incorporated these concentrations into random forest classification models trained to differentiate between people with normal colons and those with adenomas or carcinomas, we found that they did not significantly improve the ability of 16S rRNA gene or metagenomic gene sequence-based models to classify individuals. Finally, we generated random forest regression models trained to predict the concentration of each SCFA based on 16S rRNA gene or metagenomic gene sequence data from the same samples. These models performed poorly and were able to explain at most 14% of the observed variation in the SCFA concentrations. These results support the broader epidemiological data that questions the value of fiber consumption for reducing the risks of colorectal cancer. Although other bacterial metabolites may serve as biomarkers to detect adenomas or carcinomas, fecal SCFA concentrations have limited predictive power.ImportanceConsidering colorectal cancer is the third leading cancer-related cause of death within the United States, it is important to detect colorectal tumors early and to prevent the formation of tumors. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are often used as a surrogate for measuring gut health and for being anti-carcinogenic because of their anti-inflammatory properties. We evaluated the fecal SCFA concentration of a cohort of individuals with varying colonic tumor burden who were previously analyzed to identify microbiome-based biomarkers of tumors. We were unable to find an association between SCFA concentration and tumor burden or use SCFAs to improve our microbiome-based models of classifying people based on their tumor status. Furthermore, we were unable to find an association between the fecal community structure and SCFA concentrations. Our results indicate that the association between fecal SCFAs, the gut microbiome, and tumor burden is weak.

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A plasmid locus associated with Klebsiella clinical infections encodes a microbiome-dependent gut fitness factor

PLoS Pathogens ◽

10.1371/journal.ppat.1009537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. e1009537

Author(s):

Jay Vornhagen ◽

Christine M. Bassis ◽

Srividya Ramakrishnan ◽

Robert Hein ◽

Sophia Mason ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Human Infection ◽

Short Chain ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Large Set ◽

Gut Colonization ◽

Hospitalization Costs ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an important cause of healthcare-associated infections, which increases patient morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization costs. Gut colonization by Kp is consistently associated with subsequent Kp disease, and patients are predominantly infected with their colonizing strain. Our previous comparative genomics study, between disease-causing and asymptomatically colonizing Kp isolates, identified a plasmid-encoded tellurite (TeO3-2)-resistance (ter) operon as strongly associated with infection. However, TeO3-2 is extremely rare and toxic to humans. Thus, we used a multidisciplinary approach to determine the biological link between ter and Kp infection. First, we used a genomic and bioinformatic approach to extensively characterize Kp plasmids encoding the ter locus. These plasmids displayed substantial variation in plasmid incompatibility type and gene content. Moreover, the ter operon was genetically independent of other plasmid-encoded virulence and antibiotic resistance loci, both in our original patient cohort and in a large set (n = 88) of publicly available ter operon-encoding Kp plasmids, indicating that the ter operon is likely playing a direct, but yet undescribed role in Kp disease. Next, we employed multiple mouse models of infection and colonization to show that 1) the ter operon is dispensable during bacteremia, 2) the ter operon enhances fitness in the gut, 3) this phenotype is dependent on the colony of origin of mice, and 4) antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiota eliminates the requirement for ter. Furthermore, using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we show that the ter operon enhances Kp fitness in the gut in the presence of specific indigenous microbiota, including those predicted to produce short chain fatty acids. Finally, administration of exogenous short-chain fatty acids in our mouse model of colonization was sufficient to reduce fitness of a ter mutant. These findings indicate that the ter operon, strongly associated with human infection, encodes factors that resist stress induced by the indigenous gut microbiota during colonization. This work represents a substantial advancement in our molecular understanding of Kp pathogenesis and gut colonization, directly relevant to Kp disease in healthcare settings.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Gut microbiota-derived short-chain Fatty acids, T cells, and inflammation.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.725300895.793509795 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Jonathan Kaunitz

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

T Cells ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

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The Consumption of Galactomannan Effervescent Drinks made from Coconut Pulp Waste and Colonic Microbiota in Wistar Rats

International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics ◽

10.37290/ijpp2641-7197.15:52-56 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 52-56

Author(s):

Sri Winarti ◽

Agung Pasetyo

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

E Coli ◽

Colonic Microbiota ◽

Male Wistar Rats ◽

Lactobacillus Spp ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

The consumption of prebiotics is known to affect the balance of gut microbiota. The purpose of this study was to explore how a galactomannan-rich effervescent drink can affect the population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the cecum of rats. Twenty-eight male Wistar rats (aged 2 months) were divided equally into 7 groups and treated orally each day for 15 days with 2 mL effervescent drinks with increasing levels of prebiotic galactomannan. The dosage of 500 mg galactomannan increased the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. with inhibition of the growth of E.coli with increased formation of short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate in the cecum of rats.

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Impact of oral COMT-inhibitors on gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids in Parkinson's disease

Parkinsonism & Related Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.11.020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 70 ◽

pp. 20-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Grün ◽

Valerie C. Zimmer ◽

Jil Kauffmann ◽

Jörg Spiegel ◽

Ulrich Dillmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Comt Inhibitors ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

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Glycerol Monocaprylate Modulates Gut Microbiota and Increases Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production without Adverse Effects on Metabolism and Inflammation

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13051427 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 1427

Author(s):

Junhui Zhang ◽

Fengqin Feng ◽

Minjie Zhao

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dose Group ◽

Low Dose ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Normal Diet ◽

Short Chain ◽

High Dose ◽

Dose Treatment ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

Glycerol monocaprylate (GMC) is a glycerol derivative of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and is widely used as a preservative in food processing. However, GMC and its hydrolytic acid (octylic acid) have antibacterial properties that may affect the physiology and intestinal microecology of the human body. Therefore, in this study, the effects of two different dosages of GMC (150 and 1600 mg kg−1) on glucose, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and intestinal microecology of normal diet-fed C57BL/6 mice were comprehensively investigated. The obtained results showed that the level of triglycerides (TGs) in the low-dose group down-regulated significantly, and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) significantly increased, while the pro-inflammatory cytokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) in the high-dose group were significantly decreased. Importantly, GMC promoted the α-diversity of gut microbiota in normal-diet-fed mice, regardless of dosages. Additionally, it was found that the low-dose treatment of GMC significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, while the high-dose treatment of GMC significantly increased the abundance of SCFA-producers such as Clostridiales, Lachnospiraceae, and Ruminococcus. Moreover, the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was significantly increased by GMC supplementation. Thus, our research provides a novel insight into the effects of GMC on gut microbiota and physiological characteristics.

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Relationships of gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, inflammation, and the gut barrier in Parkinson’s disease

Molecular Neurodegeneration ◽

10.1186/s13024-021-00427-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Velma T. E. Aho ◽

Madelyn C. Houser ◽

Pedro A. B. Pereira ◽

Jianjun Chang ◽

Knut Rudi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Disease Onset ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

Abstract Background Previous studies have reported that gut microbiota, permeability, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and inflammation are altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but how these factors are linked and how they contribute to disease processes and symptoms remains uncertain. This study sought to compare and identify associations among these factors in PD patients and controls to elucidate their interrelations and links to clinical manifestations of PD. Methods Stool and plasma samples and clinical data were collected from 55 PD patients and 56 controls. Levels of stool SCFAs and stool and plasma inflammatory and permeability markers were compared between patients and controls and related to one another and to the gut microbiota. Results Calprotectin was increased and SCFAs decreased in stool in PD in a sex-dependent manner. Inflammatory markers in plasma and stool were neither intercorrelated nor strongly associated with SCFA levels. Age at PD onset was positively correlated with SCFAs and negatively correlated with CXCL8 and IL-1β in stool. Fecal zonulin correlated positively with fecal NGAL and negatively with PD motor and non-motor symptoms. Microbiota diversity and composition were linked to levels of SCFAs, inflammatory factors, and zonulin in stool. Certain relationships differed between patients and controls and by sex. Conclusions Intestinal inflammatory responses and reductions in fecal SCFAs occur in PD, are related to the microbiota and to disease onset, and are not reflected in plasma inflammatory profiles. Some of these relationships are distinct in PD and are sex-dependent. This study revealed potential alterations in microbiota-host interactions and links between earlier PD onset and intestinal inflammatory responses and reduced SCFA levels, highlighting candidate molecules and pathways which may contribute to PD pathogenesis and clinical presentation and which warrant further investigation.

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The relationship between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the possible role of dietary fibre

Acta Diabetologica ◽

10.1007/s00592-021-01727-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Dominic Salamone ◽

Angela Albarosa Rivellese ◽

Claudia Vetrani

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Dietary Fibre ◽

Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽

Short Chain ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

The Relationship ◽

Chain Fatty Acids

AbstractGut microbiota and its metabolites have been shown to influence multiple physiological mechanisms related to human health. Among microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are modulators of different metabolic pathways. On the other hand, several studies suggested that diet might influence gut microbiota composition and activity thus modulating the risk of metabolic disease, i.e. obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Among dietary component, dietary fibre may play a pivotal role by virtue of its prebiotic effect on fibre-fermenting bacteria, that may increase SCFA production. The aim of this review was to summarize and discuss current knowledge on the impact of dietary fibre as modulator of the relationship between glucose metabolism and microbiota composition in humans. More specifically, we analysed evidence from observational studies and randomized nutritional intervention investigating the relationship between gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids and glucose metabolism. The possible mechanisms behind this association were also discussed.

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