Metabolomic profiling of stool of two‐year old children from the INSIGHT study reveals links between butyrate and child weight outcomes

Abstract

Background: Metabolomic analysis is commonly used to understand the biological underpinning of diseases such as obesity. However, our knowledge of gut metabolites related to weight outcomes in young children is currently limited.Objectives: To (1) explore the relationships between metabolites and child weight outcomes, (2) determine the potential effect of covariates (e.g., child's diet, maternal health/habits during pregnancy, etc.) in the relationship between metabolites and child weight outcomes, and (3) explore the relationship between selected gut metabolites and gut microbiota abundance.Methods: Using 1 H-NMR, we quantified 30 metabolites from stool samples of 170 two-year-old children. To identify metabolites and covariates associated with children's weight outcomes (BMI [weight/height 2 ], BMI z-score [BMI adjusted for age and sex], and growth index [weight/height]), we analysed the 1 H-NMR data, along with 20 covariates recorded on children and mothers, using LASSO and best subset selection regression techniques. Previously characterized microbiota community Debmalya Nandy and Sarah J. C. Craig contributed equally to this study.

Associations between maternal obesity and offspring gut microbiome in the first year of life

“…Recently, faecal butyric acid concentrations at 2 years old were found to be positively associated with BMI. 18 Germ-free mice colonized with microbiota from 2-week-old infants born to mothers with obesity showed higher cecal SCFAs than those colonized by infants from NW mothers. 34 While the precise reasons are unclear, differences in the time of collection (2 weeks vs. 1 month), number of subjects, and participant characteristics (viz.…”

“…In the current study, faecal butyrate at 1 month differed between infants in the NW and OW groups, but was not statistically associated with infant adiposity at 12 months. Recently, faecal butyric acid concentrations at 2 years old were found to be positively associated with BMI 18 . Germ‐free mice colonized with microbiota from 2‐week‐old infants born to mothers with obesity showed higher cecal SCFAs than those colonized by infants from NW mothers 34 .…”

“…[11][12][13][14][15] Microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) have important functional roles within and outside of the intestines on immune function and energy balance. 16 Faecal SCFAs have been associated with body composition 17 and BMI 18 in children. One study showed no association between maternal overweight status and offspring faecal SCFA concentrations, 19 but more studies are needed to fully elucidate this relationship.…”

Fecal microbiota relationships with childhood obesity: A scoping comprehensive review

“…14 Thus, there is evidence for an influence of intestinal microbiota on body metabolism in infants with obesity, 15 where increased levels of fecal butyrate may be involved as well as inflammatory phenomena. 16,17 In fact, there are some probiotics that supplies butyrate and administered orally might be key in childhood obesity. 18 Therefore, it has become essential to analyze maternal, prenatal, infant, and childhood interactions that could impact infant's health.…”

Insulin resistance and intestinal microbial metabolites in childhood obesity

“…(2022), які визнали С 4 фактором, що сприяє розвитку дитячого ожиріння [31]. Peter Gyarmati та колеги (2021) виявили залежність змін окремих фракцій SCFA від ступеня ожиріння, продемонструвавши вірогідне зростання концентрації бутирату та пропіонату в кишечному вмісті дітей із тяжким ступенем ожиріння [32].…”