In Vitro Microbial Metabolism of (+)-Catechin Reveals Fast and Slow Converters with Individual-Specific Microbial and Metabolite Markers

Abstract

The bioavailability of catechin highly relies on gut microbiota which may determine its metabolic profile, resulting in different health outcomes. Here, we investigated in vitro (+)-catechin metabolism by human microbial communities. There were substantial interindividual differences in the metabolic profiles of (+)-catechin, with 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone being the major contributor. Furthermore, the microbial metabolic rate of catechin enabled stratification of 12 participants (fast, medium, and slow converters), despite the interference from the strong intrinsic interindividual variability in fecal microbiota. Correlations were established between this stratified population and microbiota features, such as ecosystem diversity. Additionally, fast converters had significantly higher prevalences of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with potential capacity of C-ring cleavage (ASV233_Eggerthella and ASV402_Eubacterium), B-ring dihydroxylation (ASV402_Eubacterium), and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing ASVs. In conclusion, metabolic-capability-based stratification allows us to uncover differences in microbial composition between fast and slow converters, which could help to elucidate interindividual variabilities in the health benefits of catechins.

Intra- and Inter-individual Differences in the Human Intestinal Microbial Conversion of (-)-Epicatechin and Bioactivity of Its Major Colonic Metabolite 5-(3′,4′-Dihydroxy-Phenyl)-γ-Valerolactone in Regulating Nrf2-Mediated Gene Expression

“…Subsequently, diphenylpropan-2-ol is converted into its A-ring fission metabolites, 3,4-diHPV and 4-hydroxy-5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-valeric acid (4H-diHPVA), and this step is reported to be mediated by Flavonifractor plautii ( 44 ). Differences in the time-dependent formation of 3,4-diHPV were also reported in a recently published study by Li et al ( 45 ). They studied in vitro microbial metabolism of (+)-catechin, and the major metabolite 3,4-diHPV was also found to peak at different time points in different individuals, e.g., 24 h for individual 1, 48 h for individual 6, and 72 h for individual 7.…”

“…The formation of 3,4-diHPV from EC, which includes several reaction steps and reflects a balance between its formation and subsequent further conversion, showed larger inter-and intra-individual differences, than the decrease of EC, suggesting the reactions require specific groups of microbiotas. So far, Lactobacillus plantarum, Eggerthella lenta, Adlercreutzia equolifaciens, and Eubacterium SDG-2 are the only identified microbiota that can open the C-ring of catechins to form diphenylpropan-2-ol, the precursor of 3,4-diHPV (42)(43)(44)(45). Subsequently, diphenylpropan-2-ol is converted into its A-ring fission metabolites, 3,4-diHPV and 4-hydroxy-5-(3 ′ ,4 ′ -dihydroxyphenyl)-valeric acid (4H-diHPVA), and this step is reported to be mediated by Flavonifractor plautii (44).…”

Flavonoids bridging the gut and the brain: Intestinal metabolic fate, and direct or indirect effects of natural supporters against neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration

“…In vitro studies performed on fecal slurries from healthy volunteers supplemented with 200 mg/L of (+)catechins, to mimic the mean daily intake due to green tea drinking, has confirmed the high interindividual variability in the production of EGCG metabolites with the possibility to stratify subjects in low, medium and high metabolizers [88]. Interestingly, fast converters show higher microbiota variability and diversity in taxa composition, a sign of a healthy microbial environment…”

Alterations in Intestinal Brush Border Membrane Functionality and Bacterial Populations Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Catechin and Its Derivatives

“…Ma et al (2019) found that certain flavanols (e.g., catechin) can have antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and Clostridium [ 61 ]. These findings can be attributed to increased SCFA production associated with catechin metabolism by microorganisms within the intestine [ 62 , 63 , 64 ]. Further, dietary supplementation with catechins and similar compounds could have promoted the expression of serum leptin and induced carbohydrate degradation, which may regulate the presence and abundance of certain bacterial strains [ 65 ].…”