The Relationship Between Gut Microbiome and Bile Acids in Primates With Diverse Diets

Abstract

Primates have evolved a variety of feeding habits and intestinal physiological structure. Gut microbiome act as metabolic organs in many biological processes and play a vital role in adaptation to dietary niches. Gut microbiome also convert primary bile acids (BAs) to secondary. BAs profile and gut microbiome are together influenced by diets and play a significant role in nutrient absorption. The regulation between gut microbiome and BAs metabolism is bidirectional although the relationship in primates consuming diverse diets is still unclear. Here, we investigated gut microbiome structures, fecal BAs profile, and their relationship in primates preferring three distinct diets. We found that gut microbiome communities are well differentiated among dietary groups. Folivorous primates had higher Firmicutes abundance and lower Prevotella to Bacaeroides ratios, possibly related to fiber consumption. Frugivorous primates are colonized predominantly by Prevotella and Bacteroides, pointing to an increased adaptation to high-sugar and simple carbohydrate diets. Likewise, BA profiles differ according to diet in a manner predictable from the known effects of BAs on metabolism. Folivorous primates have high conjugated bile acid levels and low unconjugated to conjugated BA ratios, consistent with their fiber-rich leaf-eating diet. Much of the differentiation in secondary and unconjugated BAs is associated with microbiome composition shifts and individual bile acid concentrations are correlated with the abundance of distinct bacterial taxonomic groups. Omnivores have higher concentrations of secondary BAs, mainly lithocholic acid (LCA). These levels are significantly positively correlated with the presence of Clostrida species, showing that the digestion requirements of omnivores are different from plant-eating primates. In conclusion, gut microbiome and BAs can respond to changes in diet and are associated with nutrient component consumption in each diet primate group. Our study is the first to demonstrate BA profile differentiation among primates preferring diverse diets. BAs thus appear to work with gut microbiome to help primates adapt to their diet.

Recent Advances in Genetics and Genomics of Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus) and Their Implications for Phylogeny, Conservation, and Adaptation

“…At the taxonomic level, Bacillota (utilize crude fibre) and Bacteroidetes (primary degraders of polysaccharides) were the most dominant bacteria in the gut microbiome of snub-nosed monkeys. Particularly, Bacillota with Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families were the most abundant families in snub-nosed monkeys, a finding common to other studies on wild folivorous primates, possibly related to high-fibre consumption [100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107]. Microbes of the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families also contain enzyme transport mechanisms, and metabolic pathways that enable the degradation of complex plant material, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.…”

“…In addition to host-level genomic adaptations to folivory, the gut microbiome also plays a crucial role in snub-nosed monkeys. Previous studies have investigated the adaptation to folivory of snub-nosed monkeys at both the taxonomic and functional levels of the gut microbiome [11,[99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107]. At the taxonomic level, Bacillota (utilize crude fibre) and Bacteroidetes (primary degraders of polysaccharides) were the most dominant bacteria in the gut microbiome of snub-nosed monkeys.…”

Distinct signatures of gut microbiota and metabolites in primary biliary cholangitis with poor biochemical response after ursodeoxycholic acid treatment

“…Studies has suggested that the level of the secondary BAs was negatively related to Prevotella . [ 38 ] We also found the positive relationship between the Prevotella_sp900557255 and lithocholic acid. Besides, the lithocholic acid was positively related with Gemmiger_qucibialis , Bariatricus_comes , Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii_D , Blautia_A_obeum CAG_41_sp900066215 .…”

Bidirectional Interaction between Tetracyclines and Gut Microbiome

“…Tetracyclines are primarily excreted through the bile and can be reabsorbed in the intestine as a result of enterohepatic recirculation [ 111 ]. The gut microbiome can influence the composition of the bile, altering the concentration of tetracyclines and other compounds excreted in the bile [ 112 , 113 , 114 ]. Moreover, it has been suggested that alteration of the gut microbiome led to changes in bile acid composition, which in turn affected the expression of liver enzymes involved in tetracycline metabolism [ 112 ].…”