Metabolites of Gut Microbiome Are Associated With Glucose Metabolism in Non-diabetic Obese Adults: A Chinese Monozygotic Twin Study

Abstract BackgroundEvidence suggests gut microbiome is associated with diabetes. However, it’s unclear whether this association remains in non-diabetic subjects. We conducted a monozygotic twin study, in which the participants are without diabetes, and are not taking any medications, to explore the potential association.MethodsNine pairs of adult monozygotic twins were enrolled and divided into two twin-pair groups (a and b). Clinical and laboratory measurements were conducted. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed. Fecal samples were collected to analyze the microbiome composition by 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed to detect the metabolites. ResultsThe participants aged 53 years old averagely, with 8 (88.9%) pairs were women. All the participants were obese with VAT higher than 100 cm2 (152.2±31.6). There was no significant difference of VAT between the twin groups (153.6±30.4 cm2 vs. 150.8±29.5 cm2, p=0.54). Other clinical measurements, including BMI, lipid profiles, fasting insulin and blood glucose, were also not significantly different between groups (p≥0.056), whereas HbA1c level of group a is significantly higher than group b(5.8±0.3 % vs. 5.6±0.2 %, p=0.008). The number and richness of OUTs are relatively higher in group a, and 13 metabolites were significantly different between two groups. Furthermore, several of the 13 metabolites could be significantly linked to special taxons. The potential pathway involved drug metabolism-other enzymes, Tryptophan metabolism and Citrate cycle.ConclusionGut microbiome composition and their metabolites may modulate glucose metabolism in obese adults without diabetes, through Tryptophan metabolism, Citrate cycle and other pathways.

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Metabolites of gut microbiome are associated with glucose metabolism in non-diabetic obese adults: a Chinese monozygotic twin study

Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome ◽

10.1186/s13098-021-00724-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ke Yu ◽

Cai-Guo Yu ◽

Xing-Qi Yin ◽

Zong-Wei Wang ◽

Xiao-Bo Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glucose Metabolism ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Twin Study ◽

Monozygotic Twin ◽

Tryptophan Metabolism ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Citrate Cycle ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A

Abstract Background Evidence suggests gut microbiome is associated with diabetes. However, it’s unclear whether the association remains in non-diabetic participants. A Chinese monozygotic twin study, in which the participants are without diabetes, and are not taking any medications, was conducted to explore the potential association. Methods Nine pairs of adult monozygotic twins were enrolled and divided into two twin-pair groups (a and b). Clinical and laboratory measurements were conducted. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was assessed. Fecal samples were collected to analyze the microbiome composition by 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed to detect the metabolites. Results The participants aged 53 years old averagely, with 8 (88.9%) pairs were women. All the participants were obese with VAT higher than 100 cm2 (152.2 ± 31.6). There was no significant difference of VAT between the twin groups (153.6 ± 30.4 cm2 vs. 150.8 ± 29.5 cm2, p = 0.54). Other clinical measurements, including BMI, lipid profiles, fasting insulin and blood glucose, were also not significantly different between groups (p ≥ 0.056), whereas HbA1c level of group a is significantly higher than group b (5.8 ± 0.3% vs. 5.6 ± 0.2%, p = 0.008). The number and richness of OTUs are relatively higher in group a, and 13 metabolites were significantly different between two groups. Furthermore, several of the 13 metabolites could be significantly linked to special taxons. The potential pathway involved drug metabolism-other enzymes, Tryptophan metabolism and Citrate cycle. Conclusions Gut microbiome composition and their metabolites may modulate glucose metabolism in obese adults without diabetes, through Tryptophan metabolism, Citrate cycle and other pathways.

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Familial multiple sclerosis: volumetric assessment in clinically symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/135245859900500202 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 74-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jennifer C Fulton ◽

Robert I Grossman ◽

Lois J Mannon ◽

Jayaram Udupa ◽

Dennis L Kolson

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Monozygotic Twins ◽

Subsequent Development ◽

Monozygotic Twin ◽

Lesion Volume ◽

Sibling Pairs ◽

Clinically Normal ◽

Volumetric Assessment ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Normal Offspring

A genetic basis for clustering of multiple sclerosis (MS) cases, based on studies of MS families, has been proposed for decades. Few reports provide detailed neurological as well as neuroradiological findings on these patients. We report total T2-weighted intracranial lesion volumes on members of three familial MS cohorts: a mother and father with conjugal MS with one affected son and a neurologically normal son and daughter, one pair of monozygotic twin sisters with MS, and a female sibling pair with MS. We hypothesized that asymptomatic siblings in a family with two affected parents and another affected child might demonstrate clinically silent T2-weighted lesions; and that monozygotic twins with MS are more likely to express similar T2-weighted lesion volumes than non-twin sibling pairs. We found clinically silent lesions in unaffected children of the symptomatic parent couple, with a significant difference in total T2 lesion volume between these unaffected siblings and their parents, as well as their affected brother. In our other sibling pairs, T2 lesion volumes were similar between the twins and significantly different in the non-twin pair, despite similar levels of clinical functioning as determined by EDSS scoring. These results suggest that foci of demyelination might be expected in clinically normal offspring of parents with MS, possibly reflecting a genetic predisposition to subsequent development of MS.

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Alterations in gut microbiome composition and function in irritable bowel syndrome and increased probiotic abundance with daily supplementation

10.1101/2021.09.02.458777 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joann Phan ◽

Divya Nair ◽

Suneer Jain ◽

Thibaut Montagne ◽

Demi Valeria Flores ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

The United States ◽

Supporting Evidence ◽

Metagenomic Sequencing ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Stool Samples ◽

Irritable Bowel

AbstractBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal discomfort and irregular bowel movements and stool consistency. Because there are different symptoms associated with IBS, it is difficult to diagnose the role of the microbiome in IBS.ObjectiveHere, we present a study that includes metagenomic sequencing of stool samples from subjects with the predominant subtypes of IBS and a healthy cohort. We collected longitudinal samples from individuals with IBS who took daily made-to-order precision probiotic and prebiotic supplementation throughout the study.Materials and MethodsThis study includes a population of 489 individuals with IBS and 122 healthy controls. All stool samples were subjected to shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Precision probiotics and prebiotics were formulated for all subjects with longitudinal timepoints.ResultsThere was significant variation explained in the microbiome between the healthy and IBS cohorts. Individuals with IBS had a lower gut microbiome diversity and reduced anti-inflammatory microbes compared to the healthy controls. Eubacterium rectale and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were associated with healthy microbiomes while Shigella species were associated with IBS. Pathway analysis indicated a functional imbalance of short chain fatty acids, vitamins, and a microbial component of Gram-negative bacteria in IBS compared to healthy controls. In the longitudinal dataset, there was a significant difference in microbiome composition between timepoints 1 and 3. There was also a significant increase in the overall microbiome score and relative abundances of probiotic species used to target the symptoms associated with IBS.ConclusionsWe identified microbes and pathways that differentiate healthy and IBS microbiomes. In response to precision probiotic supplementation, we identified a significant improvement in the overall microbiome score in individuals with IBS. These results suggest an important role for probiotics in managing IBS symptoms and modulation of the microbiome as a potential management strategy.ImportanceAn estimated 35 million people in the United States and 11.5% of the population globally are affected by IBS. Immunity, genetics, environment, diet, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and the gut microbiome are all factors that contribute to the onset or triggers of IBS. With strong supporting evidence that the gut microbiome may influence symptoms associated with IBS, elucidating the important microbes that contribute to the symptoms and severity is important to make decisions for targeted treatment. As probiotics have become more common in treating IBS symptoms, identifying effective probiotics may help inform future studies and treatment.

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Gut Microbiome Composition in Obese and Non-Obese Persons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 12

Author(s):

Mariona Pinart ◽

Andreas Dötsch ◽

Kristina Schlicht ◽

Matthias Laudes ◽

Jildau Bouwman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

High Throughput ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Obese Adults ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Microbiome Composition ◽

Genus Level

Whether the gut microbiome in obesity is characterized by lower diversity and altered composition at the phylum or genus level may be more accurately investigated using high-throughput sequencing technologies. We conducted a systematic review in PubMed and Embase including 32 cross-sectional studies assessing the gut microbiome composition by high-throughput sequencing in obese and non-obese adults. A significantly lower alpha diversity (Shannon index) in obese versus non-obese adults was observed in nine out of 22 studies, and meta-analysis of seven studies revealed a non-significant mean difference (−0.06, 95% CI −0.24, 0.12, I2 = 81%). At the phylum level, significantly more Firmicutes and fewer Bacteroidetes in obese versus non-obese adults were observed in six out of seventeen, and in four out of eighteen studies, respectively. Meta-analyses of six studies revealed significantly higher Firmicutes (5.50, 95% 0.27, 10.73, I2 = 81%) and non-significantly lower Bacteroidetes (−4.79, 95% CI −10.77, 1.20, I2 = 86%). At the genus level, lower relative proportions of Bifidobacterium and Eggerthella and higher Acidaminococcus, Anaerococcus, Catenibacterium, Dialister, Dorea, Escherichia-Shigella, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Megasphera, Prevotella, Roseburia, Streptococcus, and Sutterella were found in obese versus non-obese adults. Although a proportion of studies found lower diversity and differences in gut microbiome composition in obese versus non-obese adults, the observed heterogeneity across studies precludes clear answers.

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Abstract P080: Gut Microbiota, Gut-Derived Metabolites and Glucose Metabolism: Findings From a Monozygotic Twin Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.139.suppl_1.p080 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 139 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Yun Zhu ◽

Eric Strachan ◽

Emily Fowler ◽

Tamara Bacus ◽

Peter Roy-Byrne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Glucose Metabolism ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Twin Study ◽

Monozygotic Twin

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The virome in adult monozygotic twins with concordant or discordant gut microbiomes

10.1101/509273 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

J. Leonardo Moreno-Gallego ◽

Shao-Pei Chou ◽

Sara C. Di Rienzi ◽

Julia K. Goodrich ◽

Timothy Spector ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiome ◽

Monozygotic Twins ◽

Monozygotic Twin ◽

Human Gut ◽

Virus Like Particles ◽

Small Core ◽

Microbiome Diversity ◽

Discordant Twins ◽

The Relationship

SUMMARYThe virome is one of the most variable components of the human gut microbiome. Within twin-pairs, viromes have been shown to be similar for infants but not for adults, indicating that as twins age and their environments and microbiomes diverge, so do their viromes. The degree to which the microbiome drives the virome’s vast diversity is unclear. Here, we examined the relationship between microbiome diversity and virome diversity in 21 adult monozygotic twin pairs selected for high or low microbiome concordance. Viromes derived from virus-like particles were unique to each subject, dominated by Caudovirales and Microviridae, and exhibited a small core that included crAssphage. Microbiome-discordant twins had more dissimilar viromes compared to microbiome-concordant twins, and the richer the microbiomes, the richer the viromes. These patterns were driven by the bacteriophages, not eukaryotic viruses. These observations support a strong role of the microbiome in patterning the virome.

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“Side by side”: Development of twin relationship dimensions from early to middle childhood and the role of zygosity and parenting

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/02654075211005857 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026540752110058

Author(s):

Hila Segal ◽

Ariel Knafo-Noam

Keyword(s):

Middle Childhood ◽

Family System ◽

Monozygotic Twins ◽

Monozygotic Twin ◽

Developmental Courses ◽

Dizygotic Twins ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Comprehensive Study

Twin relationships have a significant effect on the twins’ life and their families. In the first comprehensive study of this topic, our purpose was to examine the developmental courses of four dyadic dimensions of twins’ relationships: closeness, dependence, conflict and rivalry, and the impact of zygosity and parenting on their relationships. Parents reported on their twins’ relationships ( N = 1547 mothers and 536 fathers with data from at least one of four measurement points from 3 to 8–9 years of age). The sample included 322 monozygotic twin dyads (sharing virtually 100% of their genes), and 1194 dizygotic twin dyads (sharing 50% of their genetic variance, on average). Our findings indicated that closeness and dependence decreased while rivalry increased through childhood. Dependence and rivalry also presented quadratic change. The twins’ conflict increased only for dizygotic twins. As expected, we found that the twins’ closeness and dependence were highly associated, as did the associations between conflict and rivalry. The mostly nonsignificant associations of closeness with conflict and rivalry reinforced the notion that they are not bi-polar opposites. However, dependence was positively related to the twins’ conflict and rivalry. A zygosity effect was also evident as monozygotic twins had higher levels of closeness and dependence than dizygotic twins through childhood, but there was no significant difference in the levels of their conflict and rivalry. In congruence with family system theories, parental positivity predicted the twins’ closeness and dependence, and parental negativity predicted the twins’ dependence, conflict and rivalry. The results were discussed in light of an evolutionary perspective and the twins’ developmental challenges through childhood.

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Characteristics of Gut Microbiome and Prediction of Infection in Neutropenic Children with Acute Leukemia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-61001/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hongwu Wang ◽

Bixin Li ◽

Aijia Li ◽

Ping Ni ◽

Limin Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Leukemia ◽

Gut Microbiome ◽

Structural Characteristics ◽

Intestinal Flora ◽

Bacteroides Fragilis ◽

High Abundance ◽

Sequence Coverage ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Childhood Acute Leukemia

Abstract Background: Neutropenia in children with acute leukemia have a high incidence of infection and mortality. To identify and classify the potentially infected pathogens, this study compared the structural characteristics of gut microbiome in neutropenic and non-neutropenic children with acute leukemia. Results: The results showed that 6033 OUTs were observed in total, and the sequence coverage index was more than 0.97. In the analysis of alpha diversity, the colony richness index (Chao1 index) of Group A1 was significantly lower than that of Group A0 (P = 0.035). The fecal bacterial communities were dominated by the phylum Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes in both groups, with no significant difference. Higher relative abundance of genera Enterococcus (P = 0.0076), Streptococcus (P = 0.014) and species Bacteroides fragilis (P = 0.034) were observed in Group A1, but class Clostridia (P = 0.038), genera Blautia (P = 0.021) and Roseburia (P = 0.011) were more prevalent in Group A0. The relatively high abundance of Bacteroides fragilis in neutropenia with childhood acute leukemia was an independent risk factor for infection (P=0.028, 95% CI 1.024-1.241).Conclusions: The increase of Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Bacteroides fragilis, and the decrease of Clostridium, Blautia, and Roseburia may be the characteristics of intestinal flora in patients with acute leukemia. The relatively high abundance of Bacteroides fragilis in neutropenia with childhood acute leukemia may predict the occurrence of infection.

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