Gut Microbiota Composition across Normal Range Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels

Abstract

Animal studies have shown the interaction between androgens and the gut microbiome directly and indirectly; however, limited evidence from human studies is available. To evaluate the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels within the normal range, reflective of androgen receptor activity, and the gut microbiota composition, a cross-sectional analysis was performed in 759 Korean men aged between 25 and 78 years with normal PSA levels of ≤4.0 ng/mL. We evaluated the biodiversity of gut microbiota as well as the taxonomic and functional signatures associated with PSA levels using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. PSA levels within the normal range were categorized into three groups: lowest quartile (G1), interquartile range (G2, reference), and highest quartile (G3). The G3 group had higher microbial richness than the G2 group, although it was dominated by a few bacteria. An increase in Escherichia/Shigella abundance and a reduction in Megamonas abundance in the G3 group were also detected. A U-shaped relationship was observed between the three groups across most analyses, including biodiversity, taxonomic composition, and inferred pathways in the gut microbiota. This study showed different microbiota patterns across PSA levels within the normal range. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of microbiota in regulating PSA levels.

Associations between gut microbiota and three prostate diseases: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study

“…Escherichia Shigella, XIII AD3011 group, and Acidaminococcaceae, Clostridiales were predicted to an increased risk of getting BPH, while Flavonifractor, Marvinbryantia, Ruminococcaceae UCG009, Eisenbergiella, Methanobacteriaceae, Selenomonadales, Methanobacteriales, Negativicutes, and Methanobacteria were on the contrary. Both the direct and indirect impacts of the gut microbiome on the androgens have been demonstrated in animal studies, which contribute to benign prostatic hyperplasia and Escherichia Shigella was found to be correlated with raised testosterone 59 , 60 . Consistent with our study, Clostridiales can convert primary bile acids into toxic secondary bile acids and convert glucocorticoids into androgens by side-chain cleavage, which is likely to contribute to progression of benign prostate hyperplasia 61 .…”

Salivary Microbiome in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Altered Composition and Association with Prostate-Specific Antigen

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that prostatic in ammation signi cantly contributes to elevated serum levels of PSA [18 , 19]. Recently, a study reported associations between microbial diversity, taxonomy signatures in the gut microbiome of men, and serum PSA levels [20].…”