Characterization of the gut microbiota in hemodialysis patients with sarcopenia

Abstract

Purpose Maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients are at high risk of sarcopenia. Gut microbiota affects host metabolic and may act in the occurrence of sarcopenia importantly. This study aimed to study the characterization of the gut microbiota in MHD patients with sarcopenia, and to further reveal the complex pathophysiology of sarcopenia in MHD patients. Methods Fecal samples and clinical data were collected from 30 MHD patients with sarcopenia, and 30 age-and-sex-matched MHD patients without sarcopenia in 1 general hospital of Jiangsu Province from December 2020 to March 2021. 16S rRNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the genetic sequence of the gut microbiota for evaluation of the diversity, species composition, and differential microbiota of the two groups. Results Compared to MHD patients without sarcopenia, the ACE index of patients with sarcopenia was lower (P = 0.014), and there was a structural difference in the β-diversity between the two groups (P = 0.001). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Tyzzerella_4 in the sarcopenia group was significantly higher than in the non-sarcopenia group (P = 0.039), and the relative abundance of Megamonas (P = 0.004), Coprococcus_2 (P = 0.038), and uncultured_bacterium_f_Muribaculaceae (P = 0.040) decreased significantly. Conclusion The diversity and structure of the gut microbiota of MHD patients with sarcopenia were altered. The occurrence of sarcopenia in MHD patients may be influenced by gut microbiota.

Population‐based metagenomics analysis reveals altered gut microbiome in sarcopenia: data from the Xiangya Sarcopenia Study

“…Until now, only a few studies have examined the association between gut microbiota and sarcopenia in human beings. 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 23 Four studies have shown that several bacterial genera differed between sarcopenia cases and controls 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ; however, all these studies used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, which limited their ability to identify closely related species. Only one study found significant differences in the composition and functionality of the gut microbiome between sarcopenic patients and non‐sarcopenic controls using shotgun metagenomic sequencing.…”

“…Although animal studies have shown promise, there are complexities and limitations inherent in translating reductionist animal models to complex human diseases. Until now, only a few studies have examined the association between gut microbiota and sarcopenia in human beings 16–19,23 . Four studies have shown that several bacterial genera differed between sarcopenia cases and controls 16–19 ; however, all these studies used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, which limited their ability to identify closely related species.…”

“… 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 Several human studies have also reported an association between alterations in the gut microbiota and the prevalence of sarcopenia. 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 However, these studies used the 16S rRNA method to examine the gut microbiota profile. Although 16S rRNA sequencing is technically robust, it has a limited ability to differentiate between closely related species and cannot provide direct evidence on the microbiome community's functional capabilities.…”

“…In animal studies on sarcopenia, a ‘gut‐muscle axis’ has been observed 9–15 . Several human studies have also reported an association between alterations in the gut microbiota and the prevalence of sarcopenia 16–19 . However, these studies used the 16S rRNA method to examine the gut microbiota profile.…”

Intestinal microbiome in normal ageing, frailty and cognition decline

“…In the last 2 years, several observational studies have demonstrated relevant associations between gut microbial parameters and presence of sarcopenia or alterations of muscle function [14 ▪▪ ,15 ▪▪ ,16–22]. They are summarized in Table 1.…”