Altered Gut Microbiota in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Its Association with Food Components Original paper
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Recent research has focused on the gut microbiota's role in IBS, aiming to identify specific microbial signatures associated with the condition.
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Kimberly Eyer
Kimberly Eyer, a Registered Nurse with 30 years of nursing experience across diverse settings, including Home Health, ICU, Operating Room Nursing, and Research. Her roles have encompassed Operating Room Nurse, RN First Assistant, and Acting Director of a Same Day Surgery Center. Her specialty areas include Adult Cardiac Surgery, Congenital Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Neurosurgery.
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Karen Pendergrass
Location
Canada
Sample Site
Feces
Species
Homo sapiens
What Was Studied?
This study investigated the altered gut microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its association with specific food components, primarily focusing on the impact of dietary patterns and food intake on the microbial diversity and composition in IBS patients compared to healthy controls (HC). The study aimed to understand how specific nutrients, particularly caffeine and dietary fiber, influence gut microbiome patterns in IBS, contributing to symptom modulation and microbiota alterations.
Who Was Studied?
The study was conducted on 80 young adults diagnosed with IBS based on Rome III or IV criteria, alongside 21 healthy controls. Participants were surveyed for food consumption using a food frequency questionnaire, and fecal samples were collected for microbiome analysis through 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing. The participants were primarily students, which may have influenced dietary habits and lifestyle factors.
What Were the Most Important Findings?
The study found significant differences in gut microbiota composition and diversity between IBS patients and healthy controls, despite similar dietary patterns. Notably, caffeine intake was significantly higher in IBS patients (246.42 mg/d) compared to controls (82.93 mg/d), with high caffeine consumption (>400 mg/d) correlating with increased alpha diversity and alterations in microbiome structure. IBS patients showed a higher abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Coriobacteriia, Bacilli, and Erysipelotrichia at the class level, and Coriobacteriaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae at the family level. Genera such as Parabacteroides, Blautia, Lachnospiraceae-unclassified, Veillonella, Oscillibacter, Flavonifractor, and Akkermansia were more abundant in IBS patients, whereas Prevotella was higher in controls. Interestingly, higher microbial diversity and abundance were observed in IBS patients with high caffeine intake, suggesting a potential modulatory role of caffeine on gut microbiota. The study also demonstrated significant correlations between dietary fiber intake and microbial diversity in the IBS group, reinforcing the role of dietary components in gut microbiome dynamics.
| Microbiota Level | Key Alterations in IBS Patients |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Increased Verrucomicrobia, Coriobacteriia, Bacilli, Erysipelotrichia |
| Class | Higher levels of Verrucomicrobia, Coriobacteriia, Bacilli, Erysipelotrichia |
| Order | Verrucomicrobiales, Coriobacteriales, Lactobacillales, Erysipelotrichales |
| Family | Coriobacteriaceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Verrucomicrobiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae |
| Genus | Parabacteroides, Blautia, Lachnospiraceae-unclassified, Veillonella, Oscillibacter, Flavonifractor, Akkermansia |
| Diet-Microbiome Correlation | High caffeine intake (>400 mg/d) linked to increased microbial diversity; dietary fiber associated with higher alpha diversity |
| Symptom Relevance | Altered microbial composition correlated with IBS symptom modulation |
| Therapeutic Implication | Dietary modulation of caffeine and fiber intake could influence gut microbiome and symptoms in IBS |
What Are the Greatest Implications of This Study?
The study’s findings underscore the influence of specific food components—particularly caffeine and dietary fiber—on gut microbiome diversity and structure in IBS patients. These results suggest that dietary modulation could be a viable strategy for managing IBS symptoms, particularly through the regulation of caffeine and fiber intake. The observation of increased microbial diversity and specific microbial alterations in high-caffeine consumers points to potential therapeutic or dietary adjustments that could improve gut health in IBS patients. Furthermore, the identification of specific microbial taxa enriched in IBS provides a potential avenue for biomarker development for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and altered bowel habits. Recent research has focused on the gut microbiota's role in IBS, aiming to identify specific microbial signatures associated with the condition.