scholarly journals Gut microbial profile is altered in primary biliary cholangitis and partially restored after UDCA therapy

Gut ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 534-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruqi Tang ◽  
Yiran Wei ◽  
Yanmei Li ◽  
Weihua Chen ◽  
Haoyan Chen ◽  
...  

ObjectiveA close relationship between gut microbiota and some chronic liver disorders has recently been described. Herein, we systematically performed a comparative analysis of the gut microbiome in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and healthy controls.DesignWe first conducted a cross-sectional study of 60 ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment-naïve patients with PBC and 80 matched healthy controls. Second, an independent cohort composed of 19 treatment-naïve patients and 34 controls was used to validate the results. Finally, a prospective study was performed in a subgroup of 37 patients with PBC who underwent analysis before and after 6 months of UDCA treatment. Faecal samples were collected, and microbiomes were analysed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing.ResultsA significant reduction of within-individual microbial diversity was noted in PBC (p=0.03). A signature defined by decreased abundance of four genera and increased abundance of eight genera strongly correlated with PBC (area under curve=0.86, 0.84 in exploration and validation data, respectively). Notably, the abundance of six PBC-associated genera was reversed after 6 months of UDCA treatment. In particular, Faecalibacterium, enriched in controls, was further decreased in gp210-positive than gp210-negative patients (p=0.002). Of interest was the finding that the increased capacity for the inferred pathway, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells in PBC, highly correlated with the abundance of bacteria belonging to Enterobacteriaceae.ConclusionsThis study presents a comprehensive landscape of gut microbiota in PBC. Dysbiosis was found in the gut microbiome in PBC and partially relieved by UDCA. Our study suggests that gut microbiota is a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for PBC.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Saji ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tsuduki ◽  
Kenta Murotani ◽  
Takayoshi Hisada ◽  
Taiki Sugimoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown associations between the gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and cognitive decline. However, the effect of the dietary composition on such associations has not been fully investigated. Methods We performed a cross-sectional sub-analysis of data from our prospective hospital-based cohort study (the Gimlet study) to evaluate the relationships between dietary composition, cognitive decline, and the gut microbiota. All the participants of the Gimlet study had been provided with information regarding this sub-study in 2018. Patients were excluded if they were unable to provide sufficient data in the questionnaire regarding their dietary composition. We assessed their demographics, dietary composition, risk factors, cognitive function, results of brain imaging, gut microbiome, and microbial metabolites. On the basis of previous studies, a nine-component traditional Japanese diet index (JDI9), a 12-component modern JDI (JDI12), and a 12-component revised JDI (rJDI12), were defined. Higher JDI scores indicated greater conformity to the traditional Japanese diet. We then evaluated the relationships between the JDI scores, cognitive function, and the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results We analyzed data from 85 eligible patients (61% women; mean age: 74.6 ± 7.4 years; mean Mini-Mental State Examination score: 24 ± 5). Compared with participants with dementia, those without dementia were more likely to consume foods in the JDI12, including fish and shellfish (64.5% vs. 39.1%, P = 0.048), mushrooms (61.3% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.015), soybeans and soybean-derived foods (62.9% vs. 30.4%, P = 0.013), and coffee (71.0% vs. 43.5%, P = 0.024). There were non-significant trends towards lower fecal concentrations of gut microbial metabolites in participants with a more traditional Japanese diet. Participants with dementia had lower JDI9, JDI12, and rJDI12 scores than participants without dementia (dementia vs. non-dementia, median JDI9 score: 5 vs. 7, P = 0.049; JDI12: 7 vs. 8, P = 0.017; and rJDI12: 7 vs. 9, P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions Adherence to a traditional Japanese diet was found to be inversely associated with cognitive decline and tended to be associated with lower concentrations of gut microbial metabolites. Trial registration: UMIN000031851.


Gut ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiran Wei ◽  
Yanmei Li ◽  
Li Yan ◽  
Chunyan Sun ◽  
Qi Miao ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe significance of the liver-microbiome axis has been increasingly recognised as a major modulator of autoimmunity. The aim of this study was to take advantage of a large well-defined corticosteroids treatment-naïve group of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) to rigorously characterise gut dysbiosis compared with healthy controls.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional study of individuals with AIH (n=91) and matched healthy controls (n=98) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An independent cohort of 28 patients and 34 controls was analysed to validate the results. All the patients were collected before corticosteroids therapy.ResultsThe gut microbiome of steroid treatment-naïve AIH was characterised with lower alpha-diversity (Shannon and observed operational taxonomic units, both p<0.01) and distinct overall microbial composition compared with healthy controls (p=0.002). Depletion of obligate anaerobes and expansion of potential pathobionts including Veillonella were associated with disease status. Of note, Veillonella dispar, the most strongly disease-associated taxa (p=8.85E–8), positively correlated with serum level of aspartate aminotransferase and liver inflammation. Furthermore, the combination of four patients with AIH-associated genera distinguished AIH from controls with an area under curves of approximately 0.8 in both exploration and validation cohorts. In addition, multiple predicted functional modules were altered in the AIH gut microbiome, including lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis as well as metabolism of amino acids that can be processed by bacteria to produce immunomodulatory metabolites.ConclusionOur study establishes compositional and functional alterations of gut microbiome in AIH and suggests the potential for using gut microbiota as non-invasive biomarkers to assess disease activity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumaresan Nallasamy ◽  
Sucheta Gokhale ◽  
Anirban Bhaduri ◽  
Ashok Kumar Dubey

Abstract In the current study, we aimed to investigate the association between gut microbiome composition and two physiological factors, BMI and age. We did not observe a significant relationship between occurrence of gut bacteria with BMI or age alone. On the other hand, we observed BMI and age together played an important role in impacting gut microbiota composition. Comparison of the microbiota of normal and obese subjects for the each of 20s and 50s group revealed 13 gut bacteria that show significantly different relative abundance in the two groups. We observed that certain organisms show opposite trends within the two age groups. Haemophilus parainfluenzae relative abundance was found to be increased in obese-20s group while reduced in obese-50s group. Relative abundance of organisms such as Mitsuokella jalaludini and Blautia obeum were reduced in obese-20s group while increased in obese-50s group as compared to the normal subjects of respective age group. On the other hand, a reduction in the average relative abundance of both M. jalaludini and B. obeum for obese group as compared to the normal in pan-India only BMI-based group comparison. While studying obesity-related gut microbiota changes, it is critical to consider multiple factors such as age and geography into the study design.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2164
Author(s):  
Francesca Gallè ◽  
Federica Valeriani ◽  
Maria Sofia Cattaruzza ◽  
Gianluca Gianfranceschi ◽  
Renato Liguori ◽  
...  

Background. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the microbial composition of the gut and its possible association with the Mediterranean diet (MD) after adjusting for demographic and anthropometric characteristics in a sample of healthy young Italian adults. Methods. Gut microbiota, demographic information, and data on adherence to MD and physical activity (PA) habits were collected in a sample of 140 university students (48.6% males, mean age 22.5 ± 2.9) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.4 ± 2.8 kg/m2 (15.2–33.8) and a mean PA level of 3006.2 ± 2973.6 metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week (148–21,090). Results. A high prevalence of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was found in all the fecal samples. Significant dissimilarities in the microbiota composition were found on the basis of MD adherence and PA levels (p = 0.001). At the genus level, Streptococcus and Dorea were highly abundant in overweight/obese individuals, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira in participants with lower adherence to MD, and Lachnobacterium in subjects with low levels of PA (p = 0.001). A significantly higher abundance of Paraprevotella was shown by individuals with lower BMI, lower MD adherence, and lower PA levels (p = 0.001). Conclusions. This study contributes to the characterization of the gut microbiome of healthy humans. The findings suggest the role of diet and PA in determining gut microbiota variability.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2032
Author(s):  
Judit Companys ◽  
Maria José Gosalbes ◽  
Laura Pla-Pagà ◽  
Lorena Calderón-Pérez ◽  
Elisabet Llauradó ◽  
...  

We aimed to differentiate gut microbiota composition of overweight/obese and lean subjects and to determine its association with clinical variables and dietary intake. A cross-sectional study was performed with 96 overweight/obese subjects and 32 lean subjects. Anthropometric parameters were positively associated with Collinsella aerofaciens, Dorea formicigenerans and Dorea longicatena, which had higher abundance the overweight/obese subjects. Moreover, different genera of Lachnospiraceae were negatively associated with body fat, LDL and total cholesterol. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were negatively associated with the genus Intestinimonas, a biomarker of the overweight/obese group, whereas SFAs were positively associated with Roseburia, a biomarker for the lean group. In conclusion, Dorea formicigenerans, Dorea longicatena and Collinsella aerofaciens could be considered obesity biomarkers, Lachnospiraceae is associated with lipid cardiovascular risk factors. SFAs exhibited opposite association profiles with butyrate-producing bacteria depending on the BMI. Thus, the relationship between diet and microbiota opens new tools for the management of obesity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasquale Loiudice ◽  
Marco Pellegrini ◽  
Michele Marinò ◽  
Barbara Mazzi ◽  
Ilaria Ionni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hemodynamic changes have been observed in patients with Graves’ disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate choroidal vascular change using the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods In this cross-sectional observational study, 40 patients affected by TAO were recruited. Forty healthy individuals, matched for age and sex, served as controls. Foveal enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography scans were obtained from all participants. Images were binarized using the ImageJ software and luminal area (LA) and total choroidal area (TCA) were measured. CVI was calculated as the proportion of LA to TCA. The relation between CVI or subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, diplopia status, gender, and age was evaluated. Results CVI was significantly higher in patients with TAO (P = 0.004). No significant difference was observed in SFCT (P = 0.200) and TCA (P = 0.153) comparing TAO patients and healthy controls. LA was significantly higher in TAO group (P = 0.045). On multiple regression analysis, CVI was associated with TCA (P = 0.043). No association was found between SFCT or CVI and TCA, clinical activity score, exophthalmometric value, Inami value, diplopia status, gender or age (P > 0.05). Conclusions This is the first study that has demonstrated an increase in CVI in eyes with TAO compared with healthy controls and has assessed its association with clinical features.


Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Rivel ◽  
Anat Achiron ◽  
Mark Dolev ◽  
Yael Stern ◽  
Gaby Zeilig ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective About a third of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from chronic and excruciating central neuropathic pain (CNP). The mechanism underlying CNP in MS is not clear, since previous studies are scarce and their results are inconsistent. Our aim was to determine whether CNP in MS is associated with impairment of the spinothalamic-thalamocortical pathways (STTCs) and/or increased excitability of the pain system. Design Cross sectional study Setting General hospital Subjects 47 MS patients with CNP, 42 MS patients without CNP, and 32 healthy controls. Methods Sensory testing included the measurement of temperature, pain, and touch thresholds and the thermal grill illusion (TGI) for evaluating STTCs function, and hyperpathia and allodynia as indicators of hyperexcitability. CNP was characterized using interviews and questionnaires. Results The CNP group had higher cold and warm thresholds (p &lt; 0.01), as well as higher TGI perception thresholds (p &lt; 0.05), especially in painful body regions compared to controls, whereas touch and pain thresholds values were normal. The CNP group also had a significantly greater prevalence of hyperpathia and allodynia. Regression analysis revealed that whereas presence of CNP was associated with a higher cold threshold, CNP intensity, and the number of painful body regions were associated with allodynia and hyperpathia, respectively. Conclusions CNP in MS is characterized by a specific impairment of STTC function; the innocuous thermal pathways, and by pain hyperexcitability. Whereas CNP presence is associated with STTC impairment, its severity and extent are associated with pain hyperexcitability. Interventions that reduce excitability level may therefore mitigate CNP severity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Meier ◽  
C. Emch ◽  
C. Gross-Wolf ◽  
F. Pfeiffer ◽  
A. Meichtry ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, causing significant personal and social burden. Current research is focused on the processes of the central nervous system (particularly the sensorimotor system) and body perception, with a view to developing new and more efficient ways to treat chronic low back pain (CLBP). Several clinical tests have been suggested that might have the ability to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system. These include back-photo assessment (BPA), two-point discrimination (TPD), and the movement control tests (MCT). The aim of this study was to determine whether the simple clinical tests of BPA, TPD or MCT are able to discriminate between nonspecific CLBP subjects with altered body perception and healthy controls. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. At one point in time, 30 subjects with CLBP and 30 healthy controls were investigated through using BPA, TPD and MCT on the lower back. Correlations among the main covariates and odds ratios for group differences were calculated. Results MCT showed an odds ratio for the presence of CLBP of 1.92, with a statistically significant p-value (0.049) and 95%CI. The TPD and BPA tests were unable to determine significant differences between the groups. Conclusions Of the three tests investigated, MCT was found to be the only suitable assessment to discriminate between nonspecific CLBP subjects and healthy controls. The MCT can be recommended as a simple clinical tool to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system of nonspecific CLBP subjects. This could facilitate the development of tailored management strategies for this challenging LBP subgroup. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the potential of all the tests to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system of CLBP subjects. Trial registration No trial registration was needed as the study contains no intervention. The study was approved by the Swiss Ethics Commission of Northwest and Central Switzerland (EKNZ) reference number 2015–243.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Zahra A. Barandouzi ◽  
Joochul Lee ◽  
Kendra Maas ◽  
Angela R. Starkweather ◽  
Xiaomei S. Cong

The interplay between diet and gut microbiota has gained interest as a potential contributor in pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The purpose of this study was to compare food components and gut microbiota patterns between IBS patients and healthy controls (HC) as well as to explore the associations of food components and microbiota profiles. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 80 young adults with IBS and 21 HC recruited. The food frequency questionnaire was used to measure food components. Fecal samples were collected and profiled by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing. Food components were similar in both IBS and HC groups, except in caffeine consumption. Higher alpha diversity indices and altered gut microbiota were observed in IBS compared to the HC. A negative correlation existed between total observed species and caffeine intake in the HC, and a positive correlation between alpha diversity indices and dietary fiber in the IBS group. Higher alpha diversity and gut microbiota alteration were found in IBS people who consumed caffeine more than 400 mg/d. Moreover, high microbial diversity and alteration of gut microbiota composition in IBS people with high caffeine consumption may be a clue toward the effects of caffeine on the gut microbiome pattern, which warrants further study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Wallensten ◽  
Anna Nager ◽  
Marie Åsberg ◽  
Kristian Borg ◽  
Aniella Beser ◽  
...  

AbstractPatients with stress-induced exhaustion disorder (SED) demonstrate cognitive dysfunction similar to patients with minor traumatic brain injury (TBI). We have previously detected elevated concentrations of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with TBI. As such, we hypothesized that astrocyte-derived EVs could be higher in patients with SED than in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. Patients with SED (n = 31), MDD (n = 31), and healthy matched controls (n = 61) were included. Astrocyte-derived EVs (previously known as microparticles) were measured in plasma with flow cytometry and labeled against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4). In addition, platelet EVs and their CD40 ligand expression were measured. Patients with SED had significantly higher concentrations of AQP4 and GFAP-positive EVs and EVs co-expressing AQP4/GFAP than patients with MDD and healthy controls. Patients with MDD had significantly higher concentrations of GFAP-positive EVs and EVs co-expressing AQP4/GFAP than healthy controls. Platelet EVs did not differ between groups. CD40 ligand expression was significantly higher in patients with SED and MDD than in controls. In conclusion, the present study suggests that patients with SED, and to some extent, patients with MDD, have increased leakage of astrocyte-derived EVs through the blood–brain barrier.


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