Characteristics of Gut Microbiome and Its Metabolites, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, in Children With Idiopathic Short Stature

Abstract

BackgroundThe gut microbiome is important for host nutrition and metabolism. Whether the gut microbiome under normal diet regulate human height remains to be addressed. Our study explored the possible relationship between gut microbiota, its metabolic products and the pathogenesis of idiopathic short stature disease (ISS) by comparing the gut microbiota between children with ISS and of normal height, and also the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by the gut microbiota.MethodsThe subjects of this study were 32 prepubescent children aged 4-8 years. The fecal microbial structure of the subjects was analyzed by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The concentrations of SCFAs in feces were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.ResultsThe richness of gut microbiota in ISS group was decreased, and the composition of gut microbiota was significantly different between ISS group and control group. The relative abundance of nine species including family Ruminococcaceae and genera Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium, in ISS group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). The relative abundance of 10 species, such as those belonging to genus Parabacteroides and genus Clostridium, in ISS group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The concentration of total SCFAs and butyrate in ISS group was significantly lower than that in control group. The correlation analysis among different species, clinical indicators, and SCFAs showed that the relative abundance of family Ruminococcaceae and genera Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium was positively correlated with the standard deviation score of height. Furthermore, the concentrations of total SCFAs and butyrate were positively correlated with serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-SDS. Disease prediction model constructed based on the bacteria who abundance differed between healthy children and ISS children exhibited high diagnostic value (AUC: 0.88).ConclusionsThe composition of gut microbiota and the change in its metabolite levels may be related to ISS pathogenesis. Strains with increased or decreased specificity could be used as biomarkers to diagnose ISS.

Children with idiopathic short stature have significantly different gut microbiota than their normal height siblings: a case-control study

“…In contrast to Li et al's recent study (22), which reported variations in GM composition and metabolite levels between children with ISS and the general population in eastern China, our analysis revealed no difference in microbial richness between children with ISS and their siblings. However, we did observe 3 notable variations, including the presence of Methanobrevibacter, which not only distinguished the short children from their normalheight siblings but also delineated 2 distinct subclasses within the ISS group.…”

Gut microbiota and metabolic changes in children with idiopathic short stature

“…In this study, signi cant alterations in the abundance of gut microbiota were found in ISS children. The relative abundance percentages of butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium has been reported to be signi cantly reduced in ISS children [9]. However, our study revealed different ndings as the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria in the gut, Butyricicoccus, Coprococcus, Fusobacterium_mortiferum, Alistipes_putredinis, and Coprococcus_comes, were reduced in ISS children.…”

“…Recently, a study using 16S rDNA sequencing reported that the composition of gut microbiota in ISS was very different from controls, with a signi cant decrease in the butyrate-producing genera including Faecalibacterium. Targeted metabolomic analysis of fecal short-chain fatty acids from ISS children also revealed marked differences compared to healthy children [9]. In our own clinic, we observed unusual characteristics in some ISS children, including narrow food choices leading to inadequate nutrition, gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and sleep impairment.…”

Influence of Prolonged Whole Egg Supplementation on Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Product: Implications for Human Health and Gut Microbiota

“…Recent data have shown that microbiota-metabolites, especially SCFAs, can induce IGF-1, indicating a potential mechanism through which the microbiota may impact bone health [31]. Likewise, Li et al reported a positive correlation between SCFAs, including butyrate, and serum IGF-1 levels in the feces of children [32].…”