1.
Gut microbiota associations with common diseases and prescription medications in a population-based cohort.
Jackson, MA, Verdi, S, Maxan, ME, Shin, CM, Zierer, J, Bowyer, RCE, Martin, T, Williams, FMK, Menni, C, Bell, JT, et al
Nature communications. 2018;9(1):2655
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The human gut microbiome has been associated with many health and disease states. Our knowledge is growing in relation to the abundance of particular bacteria and certain diseases, as well as the effects of certain medications on the profile of the gut microbiome. This population based cohort study using the UKTwins data set aimed to assess the associations between 38 common diseases and 51 prescription medications with the gut microbiome. 17 diseases had significant associations with at least one microbiota marker, including Type 2 diabetes, constipation, IBS, IBD, Coeliac Disease, food allergy, urinary incontinence, acne and osteoarthritis. Reduced microbiota diversity was found to be the most significant factor for disease states, having exclusively negative effects. Few associations were found for anxiety, respiratory diseases and hypercholesterolaemia. Significant associations were observed between 19 medications and the gut microbiome, including PPIs, antibiotics, paracetamol, opioids, SSRIs, and inhaled anticholinergics. The authors conclude that a complex mixture of disease and medication-specific effects are responsible for the observed microbiota associations.
Abstract
The human gut microbiome has been associated with many health factors but variability between studies limits exploration of effects between them. Gut microbiota profiles are available for >2700 members of the deeply phenotyped TwinsUK cohort, providing a uniform platform for such comparisons. Here, we present gut microbiota association analyses for 38 common diseases and 51 medications within the cohort. We describe several novel associations, highlight associations common across multiple diseases, and determine which diseases and medications have the greatest association with the gut microbiota. These results provide a reference for future studies of the gut microbiome and its role in human health.
2.
Substituting whole grains for refined grains in a 6-wk randomized trial has a modest effect on gut microbiota and immune and inflammatory markers of healthy adults.
Vanegas, SM, Meydani, M, Barnett, JB, Goldin, B, Kane, A, Rasmussen, H, Brown, C, Vangay, P, Knights, D, Jonnalagadda, S, et al
The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2017;105(3):635-650
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Increased whole grain consumption has been associated with reduced levels of inflammation. This randomised, controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a whole grain diet in comparison with a refined grain diet on the immune system, levels of inflammation and gut bacteria. 81 men and women aged between 40 and 60 were randomly assigned to either a whole grain or a refined grain diet for a period of 6 weeks. All other dietary components were kept the same and calorie levels were controlled to maintain weight levels. The study findings showed a positive effect on stool frequency and stool weight with the whole grain diet in comparison to the refined grain diet. The whole grain diet also showed modest positive effects on gut bacteria profiles and aspects of immunity. The whole grain diet showed no effects on markers of inflammation.
Abstract
Background: Observational studies suggest an inverse association between whole-grain (WG) consumption and inflammation. However, evidence from interventional studies is limited, and few studies have included measurements of cell-mediated immunity.Objective: We assessed the effects of diets rich in WGs compared with refined grains (RGs) on immune and inflammatory responses, gut microbiota, and microbial products in healthy adults while maintaining subject body weights.Design: After a 2-wk provided-food run-in period of consuming a Western-style diet, 49 men and 32 postmenopausal women [age range: 40-65 y, body mass index (in kg/m2) <35] were assigned to consume 1 of 2 provided-food weight-maintenance diets for 6 wk.Results: Compared with the RG group, the WG group had increased plasma total alkyresorcinols (a measure of WG intake) (P < 0.0001), stool weight (P < 0.0001), stool frequency (P = 0.02), and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producer Lachnospira [false-discovery rate (FDR)-corrected P = 0.25] but decreased pro-inflammatory Enterobacteriaceae (FDR-corrected P = 0.25). Changes in stool acetate (P = 0.02) and total SCFAs (P = 0.05) were higher in the WG group than in the RG group. A positive association was shown between Lachnospira and acetate (FDR-corrected P = 0.002) or butyrate (FDR-corrected P = 0.005). We also showed that there was a higher percentage of terminal effector memory T cells (P = 0.03) and LPS-stimulated ex vivo production of tumor necrosis factor-α (P = 0.04) in the WG group than in the RG group, which were positively associated with plasma alkylresorcinol concentrations.Conclusion: The short-term consumption of WGs in a weight-maintenance diet increases stool weight and frequency and has modest positive effects on gut microbiota, SCFAs, effector memory T cells, and the acute innate immune response and no effect on other markers of cell-mediated immunity or systemic and gut inflammation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01902394.
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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial: The Efficacy of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation in Alleviating Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Associated with Constipation.
Mezzasalma, V, Manfrini, E, Ferri, E, Sandionigi, A, La Ferla, B, Schiano, I, Michelotti, A, Nobile, V, Labra, M, Di Gennaro, P
BioMed research international. 2016;2016:4740907
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A controlled balance between the healthy and harmful intestinal bacterial species is fundamental for maintaining a healthy gut. Recent studies have shown a correlation between microbiota imbalance and onset of IBS-related symptoms, however the available data remains limited and inconclusive. The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of multispecies probiotic supplementation on the gut microbiota of 150 patients diagnosed with IBS. Participants were randomly divided into three groups receiving either one of two probiotic mixtures or the placebo for 90 days. Stool samples were analysed and both symptom and quality of life questionnaires were recorded. The multispecies probiotic supplementation administered in this study demonstrated significant amelioration of IBS symptoms and improvement in quality of life. This supports the role of the gut microbiome in IBS and the potential role of multispecies probiotics in managing this disorder.
Abstract
Background and Aim. The efficacy of supplementation treatment with two multispecies probiotic formulates on subjects diagnosed with IBS-C and the assessment of their gut microbiota were investigated. Methods. A randomized, double-blind, three-arm parallel group trial was carried out on 150 IBS-C subjects divided into three groups (F_1, F_2, and F_3). Each group received a daily oral administration of probiotic mixtures (for 60 days) F_1 or F_2 or placebo F_3, respectively. Fecal microbiological analyses were performed by species-specific qPCR to assess the different amount of probiotics. Results. The percentage of responders for each symptom was higher in the probiotic groups when compared to placebo group during the treatment period (t60) and was maintained quite similar during the follow-up period (t90). Fecal analysis demonstrated that probiotics of the formulations increased during the times of treatment only in fecal DNA from subjects treated with F_1 and F_2 and not with F_3, and the same level was maintained during the follow-up period. Conclusions. Multispecies probiotic supplementations are effective in IBS-C subjects and induce a different assessment in the composition of intestinal microbiota. This clinical study is registered with the clinical study registration number ISRCTN15032219.