Lifestyle and geographic insights into the distinct gut microbiota in elderly women from two different geographic locations

Abstract

BackgroundA large number of microorganisms reside within the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the colon, and play important roles in human health and disease. The composition of the human gut microbiota is determined by intrinsic host factors and environmental factors. While investigating environmental factors to promote human health is of great interest, few studies have focused on their effect on the gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate differences in gut microbiota composition according to lifestyle and geographical area, even in people with similar genetic background.MethodsWe enrolled ten and nine elderly women in their seventies from island and inland areas, respectively. Fecal samples were obtained from individuals, and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes were analyzed by next-generation sequencing to define the gut microbiota composition. We assessed their diet, which can influence the gut microbial community. We also conducted physical examination and determined the physical activity levels of the subjects.ResultsThe inland subjects had a significantly higher rectal temperature, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate and a significantly lower physical activity score than the island subjects. Fecal samples from the island group showed a tendency to have greater microbial diversity than those from the inland group. Interestingly, the microbial community composition differed significantly between the two groups. Catenibacterium was enriched in subjects from the island area. Catenibacterium showed a negative correlation with rectal temperature and a positive correlation with the dietary level of animal fat. In contrast, Butyricimonas was enriched in the inland subjects. A positive correlation was found between Butyricimonas and mean arterial pressure.ConclusionsThis study identified differences in the gut microbiota composition between elderly women from different parts of South Korea, and our findings suggest that further studies of the human gut microbiota should evaluate aspects of the living environment.

Opportunistic pathogens are abundant in the gut of cultured giant spiny frog (Paa spinosa )

“…PCA based on genus compositions showed that the P. spinosa gut microbial communities could be distinguished at the third axis (Figure b). This result indicated that the compositions of the P. spinosa gut microbial communities showed geographical differences, consistent with previous reports in other hosts (Bletz et al., ; Escobar, Klotz, Valdes & Agudelo, ; La‐ongkham, Nakphaichit, Leelavatcharamas, Keawsompong & Nitisinprasert, ; Ni, Yan, Yu & Zhang, ; Shin, Sim, Lee & Shin, ).…”

“…The gut microbiota of P. spinosa was collected from approximately 0.3-g samples of the hindgut of each individual. CCGM, gut microbiota from six cultured P. spinosa individuals from Cili; CWGM, gut microbiota from five wild P. spinosa individuals from Cili; JCGM, gut microbiota from five cultured P. spinosa individuals from Jing'an; JWGM, gut microbiota from six wild P. spinosa individuals from Jing'an; CWMM, freshwater microbiota from the habitat of wild P. spinosa from Cili; CCIWM, inflow water microbiota from a cultured pond in Cili; CCOWM, outflow water microbiota from a cultured pond in Cili; JWWM, freshwater microbiota from the habitat of wild P. spinosa from Jing'an; JCIWM, inflow water microbiota from a cultured pond in Jing'an; JCOWM, outflow water microbiota from a cultured pond from Jing'an [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] Klotz, Valdes & Agudelo, 2014;La-ongkham, Nakphaichit, Leelavatcharamas, Keawsompong & Nitisinprasert, 2015;Ni, Yan, Yu & Zhang, 2014;Shin, Sim, Lee & Shin, 2016).…”

Intestinal microbiota: a potential target for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis

“… 24 , 25 Environmental factors, including diet, lifestyle, hygiene, antibiotic treatment, and probiotics, also contribute to the alteration of the intestinal microbiota composition. 26–31 Notably, the effects of diet and antibiotics on the intestinal microbiota also depend on the host genetic background. 32 , 33 …”

Characterizing the Composition of the Pediatric Gut Microbiome: A Systematic Review

“…In contrast, all three geographical locations (Europe, North America, and Central America) were significantly different to one another in studies that sequenced the V4 hypervariable region. Other studies have independently identified geographical location as a factor in community structure, one sequencing the V4 region [30] and the other the V1-V2 hypervariable region [86]. Children from Western geographical areas had a similar microbiome structure at the phylum level.…”