Stool pattern is associated with not only the prevalence of tumorigenic bacteria isolated from fecal matter but also plasma and fecal fatty acids in healthy Japanese adults

Abstract

Background Colibactin-producing Escherichia coli containing polyketide synthase (pks+E. coli) has been shown to be involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) development through gut microbiota analysis in animal models. Stool status has been associated with potentially adverse gut microbiome profiles from fecal analysis in adults. We examined the association between stool patterns and the prevalence of pks+E. coli isolated from microbiota in fecal samples of 224 healthy Japanese individuals. Results Stool patterns were determined through factorial analysis using a previously validated questionnaire that included stool frequency, volume, color, shape, and odor. Factor scores were classified into tertiles. The prevalence of pks+E. coli was determined by using specific primers for pks+E. coli in fecal samples. Plasma and fecal fatty acids were measured via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The prevalence of pks+E. coli was 26.8%. Three stool patterns identified by factorial analysis accounted for 70.1% of all patterns seen (factor 1: lower frequency, darker color, and harder shape; factor 2: higher volume and softer shape; and factor 3: darker color and stronger odor). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the prevalence of pks+E. coli for the highest versus the lowest third of the factor 1 score was 3.16 (1.38 to 7.24; P for trend = 0.006). This stool pattern exhibited a significant positive correlation with fecal isobutyrate, isovalerate, valerate, and hexanoate but showed a significant negative correlation with plasma eicosenoic acid and α-linoleic acid, as well as fecal propionate and succinate. No other stool patterns were significant. Conclusions These results suggest that stool patterns may be useful in the evaluation of the presence of tumorigenic bacteria and fecal fatty acids through self-monitoring of stool status without the requirement for specialist technology or skill. Furthermore, it may provide valuable insight about effective strategies for the early discovery of CRC.

Association between physical activity and the prevalence of tumorigenic bacteria in the gut microbiota of Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study

“…This cross-sectional study utilized the same cross-sectional dataset from the Nutrition and Exercise Intervention study (NEXIS) as our previous studies, which reported associations between green tea intake or stool patterns and the prevalence of pks + E. coli in the Japanese population 28 , 36 . Briefly, the NEXIS is a longitudinal cohort initiated in 2012 with the aim of evaluating the association between lifestyle and health markers such as dietary intake and physical activity 28 , 36 .…”

“…This cross-sectional study utilized the same cross-sectional dataset from the Nutrition and Exercise Intervention study (NEXIS) as our previous studies, which reported associations between green tea intake or stool patterns and the prevalence of pks + E. coli in the Japanese population 28 , 36 . Briefly, the NEXIS is a longitudinal cohort initiated in 2012 with the aim of evaluating the association between lifestyle and health markers such as dietary intake and physical activity 28 , 36 . Of the 750 general Japanese adults who participated in the NEXIS, 259 individuals, ranging in age from 27 to 79 years who were living in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan, participated in a stool sampling survey that included measurement of the prevalence of pks + E. coli 28 , 36 .…”

“…Briefly, the NEXIS is a longitudinal cohort initiated in 2012 with the aim of evaluating the association between lifestyle and health markers such as dietary intake and physical activity 28 , 36 . Of the 750 general Japanese adults who participated in the NEXIS, 259 individuals, ranging in age from 27 to 79 years who were living in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan, participated in a stool sampling survey that included measurement of the prevalence of pks + E. coli 28 , 36 . Therefore, the sample size for this study was not determined based on specific statistical analyses but rather on the availability of data.…”

“…The primer sets used were as follows: clbB forward primer, 5′-tgttccgttttgtgtggtttcagcg-3′; reverse primer, 5′-gtgcgctgaccattgaagatttccg-3′; clbJ forward primer, 5′-tggcctgtattgaaagagcaccgtt-3′; reverse primer, 5′-aatgggaacggttgatgacgatgct-3′; clbQ forward primer, 5′-ctgtgtcttacgatggtggatgccg-3′; reverse primer, 5′-gcattaccagattgtcagcatcgcc-3′. We defined a pks + E. coli carrier when clbB , clbJ , or clbQ was detected in the feces using these primers 28 , 36 . The minimum detection level of clb genes by PCR was estimated at 10 ng/mL as a DNA template 36 .…”

“…We defined a pks + E. coli carrier when clbB , clbJ , or clbQ was detected in the feces using these primers 28 , 36 . The minimum detection level of clb genes by PCR was estimated at 10 ng/mL as a DNA template 36 .…”