Multi-omics analyses demonstrate the modulating role of gut microbiota on the associations of unbalanced dietary intake with gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Our previous work revealed that unbalanced dietary intake was an important independent factor associated with constipation and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Growing evidence has shown the alterations in the gut microbiota and gut microbiota-derived metabolites in ASD. However, how the altered microbiota might affect the associations between unbalanced diets and GI symptoms in ASD remains unknown. We analyzed microbiome and metabolomics data in 90 ASD and 90 typically developing (TD) children based on 16S rRNA and untargeted metabolomics, together with dietary intake and GI symptoms assessment. We found that there existed 11 altered gut microbiota (FDR-corrected P-value <0.05) and 397 altered metabolites (P-value <0.05) in children with ASD compared with TD children. Among the 11 altered microbiota, the Turicibacter , Coprococcus 1 , and Lachnospiraceae FCS020 group were positively correlated with constipation (FDR-corrected P-value <0.25). The Eggerthellaceae was positively correlated with total GI symptoms (FDR-corrected P-value <0.25). More importantly, three increased microbiota including Turicibacter , Coprococcus 1 , and Eggerthellaceae positively modulated the associations of unbalanced dietary intake with constipation and total GI symptoms, and the decreased Clostridium sp. BR31 negatively modulated their associations in ASD children (P-value <0.05). Together, the altered microbiota strengthens the relationship between unbalanced dietary intake and GI symptoms. Among the altered metabolites, ten metabolites derived from microbiota ( Turicibacter , Coprococcus 1 , Eggerthellaceae, and Clostridium sp. BR31 ) were screened out, enriched in eight metabolic pathways, and were identified to correlate with constipation and total GI symptoms in ASD children (FDR-corrected P-value <0.25). These metabolomics findings further support the modulating role of gut microbiota on the associations of unbalanced dietary intake with GI symptoms. Collectively, our research provides insights into the relationship between diet, the gut microbiota, and GI symptoms in children with ASD.

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: a Mendelian randomization study of gut microbiota

“…However, despite belonging to distinct strains, Lachnospiraceae appears to be a common influencing factor for both AN and BN. Previous research has linked reductions in Lachnospiraceae to an increased risk of developing depression ( Liu et al, 2022 ), autism ( Li et al, 2023 ), and Alzheimer’s disease ( Hung et al, 2022 ). The elevated risk of AN observed in our study further underscores the widespread association of Lachnospiraceae with mental disorders ( Wang et al, 2023 ).…”

Modulation of the rat intestinal microbiota in the course of Anisakis pegreffii infection

“…However, a significant decrease in the abundance (8% in control groups, 0.1% in infection groups) of this genus in the infection group resulted in a substantial alteration in gut microbiota diversity. Bacteria of the genus Turicibacter are also important members of the mammalian gut microbiota with evidence suggesting their involvement in modifying host bile acids and lipids, thereby regulating host lipid metabolism ( 46 , 47 ). In the infection group, there was a significant decrease in the relative abundance of this genus (2% in control groups, 0.038% in infection groups), leading to a diminished capacity to regulate the overall gut microbiota.…”