Work

Metagenomics Analysis Reveals Unique Gut Microbiota Signature of Slow-Transit Constipation

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Altered gut microbiota may play a role in slow-transit constipation (STC). We conducted a study of gut microbiota composition and functionality in STC using metagenomic analyses. METHODS: We assembled a clinical cohort of 24 patients with STC physiology age- and sex-matched to 24 controls. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing followed by prediction of metabolite composition from functional profiles. RESULTS: In a middle-aged (mean 55.3 years), predominantly female cohort, there were no significant differences in α-diversity indices, but permutational multivariate analysis of variance analysis showed significant between-group differences (R 2 = 0.050, P < 0.001) between STC patients and controls. Gordonibacter pamelaeae , Bifidobacterium longum , Firmicutes bacterium co-abundance gene group 94, and Anaerotruncus colihominis were more abundant in STC, whereas Coprococcus comes and Roseburia intestinalis were more abundant in controls. Gut-derived metabolites varying in STC relative to controls were related to bile acid and cholesterol metabolism. DISCUSSION: We found a unique metagenomic and metabolomic signature of STC.

Source: Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology

DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000766

Authors: Kyungsun Han, Braden Kuo, Hamed Khalili, Kyle Staller

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Gut microbiota and health

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,800