The Association of Gut Microbiota With Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty in Girls

Abstract

Idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) is a relatively common condition in preadolescent girls, and its pathogenesis remains to be uncovered. A variety of studies have highlighted the association of gut microbiota (GM) with endocrine diseases, such as obesity, which is commonly associated with ICPP. However, the relationship between GM and ICPP remains unexplored. Feces samples were collected from 25 girls with ICPP (ICPP group) and 23 healthy girls (Control group). We applied 16S rDNA sequencing to compare the GM between two groups. The ICPP group had higher GM diversity and was enriched for several GM species, including Ruminococcus gnavus, Ruminococcus callidus, Ruminococcus bromii, Roseburia inulinivorans, Coprococcus eutactus, Clostridium leptum, and Clostridium lactatifermentans, which are known to be associated with obesity and are related to the production of short-chain fatty acids. Additionally, 36 candidate GM biomarkers for patients with ICPP screening were identified with high accuracy (AUC = 0.95, 95% CI 0.88 to 1). We observed that the GM of the ICPP group was enriched for the microbial functions of cell motility, signal transduction, and environmental adaptation. Positive correlations were also detected between Fusobacterium and follicle-stimulating hormone, and Gemmiger and luteinizing hormone. This study documents relationships between GM and ICPP, and the implication of these findings remains to be determined.

Gut microbiota: effect of pubertal status

“…It has been reported that the abundance of gut Coprobacillus was enriched in BALB/c male mice [ 16 ], suggesting a possibility that the abundance of gut Coprobacillus could be affected by sex hormon e . Dong G reported that gut Coprococcus was enriched in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty [ 17 ]. All microbes in genera Coprococcus promote SCFAs production [ 18 – 20 ].…”

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

“…Notably, the proportion of the genus Anaerotruncus increased gradually with the puberty stages, and the proportion of the genus Coprococcus rst increased, and then decreased to a similar proportion with the early puberty group, suggesting that the two genera are closely associated with puberty. It has been reported that gut Coprococcus was enriched in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (20). All microbes in genera Coprococcus promote SCFAs production (21)(22)(23).…”

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

“…All microbes in genera Coprococcus promote SCFAs production (21)(22)(23). Therefore, it is plausible that SCFAs-producing bacteria are increased in pubertal subjects to promote the expression of the leptin gene, which in turn activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis, and lead to the onset of puberty (20).…”