Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health

Valdes, Ana M.; Walter, Jens; Segal, Eran; Spector, Tim D.

doi:10.1136/bmj.k2179

Cited by 1,566 publications

(1,326 citation statements)

References 128 publications

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“…Similarly, improvements in bowel habits associated with receiving blended feeds have been reported (6,39) . The positive role of microbes in gastrointestinal health (40) needs consideration because these may be contributing to some of the improvements reported by those using or preparing blended feeds. This needs to be balanced against potentially life-threatening risks associated with food-borne illness (41) .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A laboratory‐based evaluation of tube blocking and microbial risks associated with one blended enteral feed recipe

Madden

Baines

Bothwell

et al. 2019

J Human Nutrition Diet

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Background Concerns associated with blended enteral feeds include the risk of blocked tubes and microbial contamination, although the available evidence is limited. The present laboratory‐based investigation aimed to examine these risks in a blended feed providing a nutritionally adequate intake for a hypothetical patient. Methods A one‐blended feed recipe was made using three different methods (professional, jug and stick blenders) and three storage procedures. Feed samples were syringed via 10‐, 12‐ and 14‐French (Fr) enteral feeding tubes and both blockages and the time taken were recorded. Feed samples were diluted, plated on agars, incubated and bacterial colony‐forming units (CFU) counted. After storage at −80 °C, identification was undertaken using 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction sequencing. Results Two blockages occurred during 27 administrations of feed made using a professional blender, although they were resolved with a water flush. No blockages occurred with the 14‐Fr tube and administration was quicker with wider tubes (P < 0.00001). There was no significant difference between the total bacterial CFU of feeds prepared using different methods (P = 0.771) or stored differently. The genus of bacteria identified included Enterococcus, Bacillus, lactose‐fermenting Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. Pathogens, such as Clostridium spp., Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp., were not identified by phenotypic tests used. Sequencing identified Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Streptococcus lutetiensis and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Conclusions The present study found no risk of tube blockages when one blended feed recipe made using three methods was delivered via a 14‐Fr tube. There is concern about bacterial contamination, although this was not influenced by the methods of preparation or storage used in the present study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A laboratory‐based evaluation of tube blocking and microbial risks associated with one blended enteral feed recipe

Madden

Baines

Bothwell

et al. 2019

J Human Nutrition Diet

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“…1). A person’s healthy microbiota rarely leads to excessive local or systemic inflammation, and often, certain microbial communities are considered healthier than others, though this is not the same for each individual [31]. The mammalian GIT microbiota consists of three major phyla, namely the Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria [4].…”

Section: The Healthy Microbiota and Its Role In Immune Homeostasismentioning

confidence: 99%

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

et al. 2018

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Sex differences in immunity are well described in the literature and thought to be mainly driven by sex hormones and sex-linked immune response genes. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is one of the largest immune organs in the body and contains multiple immune cells in the GIT-associated lymphoid tissue, Peyer’s patches and elsewhere, which together have profound effects on local and systemic inflammation. The GIT is colonised with microbial communities composed of bacteria, fungi and viruses, collectively known as the GIT microbiota. The GIT microbiota drives multiple interactions locally with immune cells that regulate the homeostatic environment and systemically in diverse tissues. It is becoming evident that the microbiota differs between the sexes, both in animal models and in humans, and these sex differences often lead to sex-dependent changes in local GIT inflammation, systemic immunity and susceptibility to a range of inflammatory diseases. The sexually dimorphic microbiome has been termed the ‘microgenderome’. Herein, we review the evidence for the microgenderome and contemplate the role it plays in driving sex differences in immunity and disease susceptibility. We further consider the impact that biological sex might play in the response to treatments aimed at manipulating the GIT microbiota, such as prebiotics, live biotherapeutics, (probiotics, synbiotics and bacteriotherapies) and faecal microbial transplant. These alternative therapies hold potential in the treatment of both psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression) and physiological (e.g., irritable bowel disease) disorders differentially affecting males and females.

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“…Best thought of as a virtual organ,2 this teaming micro-community has a role in many aspects of health, including immune, metabolic, and neurobehavioural traits.…”

Section: Getting To the Guts Of The Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

Sixty seconds on . . . probiotics

Mayor

2018

BMJ

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Role of the gut microbiota in nutrition and health

Abstract: Ana M Valdes and colleagues discuss strategies for modulating the gut microbiota through diet and probiotics

Cited by 1,566 publications

References 128 publications

A laboratory‐based evaluation of tube blocking and microbial risks associated with one blended enteral feed recipe

A laboratory‐based evaluation of tube blocking and microbial risks associated with one blended enteral feed recipe

The microgenderome revealed: sex differences in bidirectional interactions between the microbiota, hormones, immunity and disease susceptibility

Sixty seconds on . . . probiotics

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