Gut microbiome is associated with metabolic syndrome accompanied by elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in men

Abstract

It is predicted that by 2035, metabolic syndrome (MS) will be found in nearly more than half of our adult population, seriously affecting the health of our body. MS is usually accompanied by the occurrence of abnormal liver enzymes, such as elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT). More and more studies have shown that the gut microbiota is involved in MS; however, the correlation between gut microbiota and MS with elevated GGT has not been studied comprehensively. Especially, there are few reports about its role in the physical examination of the population of men with MS and elevated GGT. By using the whole-genome shotgun sequencing technology, we conducted a genome-wide association study of the gut microbiome in 66 participants diagnosed as having MS accompanied by high levels of GGT (case group) and 66 participants with only MS and normal GGT level (control group). We found that the number of gut microbial species was reduced in participants in the case group compared to that of the control group. The overall microbial composition between the two groups is of significant difference. The gut microbiota in the case group is characterized by increased levels of “harmful bacteria” such as Megamonas hypermegale, Megamonas funiformis, Megamonas unclassified, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Fusobacterium mortiferum and decreased levels of “beneficial bacteria” such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium eligens, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, Bacteroides dorei, and Alistipes putredinis. Moreover, the pathways of POLYAMSYN-PWY, ARG+POLYAMINE-SYN, PWY-6305, and GOLPDLCAT-PWY were also increased in the case group, which may play a role in the elevation of GGT by producing amine, polyamine, putrescine, and endogenous alcohol. Taken together, there are apparent changes in the composition of the gut microbiome in men with MS and abnormal GGT levels, and it is high time to discover specific gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic target in that population. More in-depth studies of relevant mechanism could offer some new methods for the treatment of MS with elevated GGT.

Interindividual differences contribute to variation in microbiota composition more than hormonal status: A prospective study

“…In this case, the addition of BMI, serum GMT, vitamin D levels, diagnosis, and age as random effects improved the statistical model, suggesting that these factors are associated with changes in gut microbiota composition regardless of the hormonal therapy. Indeed, obesity (70) and elevated GMT (71) are both well-known modifiers of gut microbiota, and vitamin D may influence gut microbiota as well. Its supplementation significantly increases gut microbial diversity, the Bacteroidetes/ Hormonal gains lead to increased a-diversity and Clostridia abundance, while classes Bacteroidia and Actinobacteria are decreasing.…”

Increased abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus in gut microbiota is associated with moyamoya disease and non-moyamoya intracranial large artery disease

“…Another interesting taxon is M. funiformis, which was significantly decreased in patients with MMD. Some articles reported that M. funiformis was a beneficial bacterium because it was decreased in the elderly 29 and was enriched by a probiotic component of fermented tea 30 , whereas some reported that it is a harmful bacterium because it was associated with metabolic syndrome 31 . Intriguingly, the p.R4810K mutation, a risk factor of MMD and coronary artery disease, was inversely associated with diabetes mellitus 32,33 .…”

The relationship of Megamonas species with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in children and adolescents revealed by metagenomics of gut microbiota

“…Furthermore, the pathways contributed by the genus Megamonas were significantly increased in the NAFLD-AW group, compared with healthy controls. In these six pathways, P461-PWY is responsible for the fermentation of hhexitol to lactic acid, formic acid, ethanol and acetic acid; POLYAMSYN-PWY is used for amine and polyamine biosynthesis; PWY-5690 is responsible for the production of precursor metabolites and energy; PWY-7237 is involved in myo-inositol degradation; PWY-7371 is involved in the biosynthesis of 1,4-dihydroxy-6- naphthoate; and PWY-6608 is responsible for guanosine nucleotide degradation 33 . All of these six pathways were enriched in adults with metabolic syndrome 33 .…”

“…Previous study has shown that the production of acetic acid and propionic acid by Magnomonas was a substrate for adipogenesis and cholesterol formation in rodents 34 . More lipogenesis and cholesterol accumulation may lead to abnormal liver function 33 . Other studies have reported that the metabolic pathway of P461-PWY that was contributed by the genus Megamonas or Megamonas hypermegale and Megamonas rupellensis could produce acetate, which promoted the accumulation of triglycerides and finally promoted the development of NAFLD 35 , 36 .…”