The Gut Microbiome and Female Health

Abstract

The possession of two X chromosomes may come with the risk of various illnesses, females are more likely to be affected by osteoarthritis, heart disease, and anxiety. Given the reported correlations between gut microbiome dysbiosis and various illnesses, the female gut microbiome is worthy of exploration. Herein, we discuss the composition of the female gut microbiota and its dysbiosis in pathologies affecting the female population. Using PubMed, we performed a literature search, using key terms, namely: “gut microbiome”, “estrogen”, “menopause”, “polycystic ovarian syndrome”, “pregnancy”, and “menstruation”. In polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the abundance of Bacteroides vulgatus, Firmicutes, Streptococcus, and the ratio of Escherichia/Shigella was found to be increased while that of Tenericutes ML615J-28, Tenericutes 124-7, Akkermansia, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroidetes S24-7 was reduced. In breast cancer, the abundance of Clostridiales was enhanced, while in cervical cancer, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Dialister were enhanced but Bacteroides, Alistipes, and members of Lachnospiracea, were decreased. In ovarian cancer, Prevotella abundance was increased. Interestingly, the administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Lactobacillus fermentum ameliorated PCOS symptoms while that of a mix of Bifidobacterium lactis W51, Bifidobacterium bifidum W23, Lactobacillus brevis W63, Bifidobacterium lactis W52, Lactobacillus salivarius W24, Lactobacillus acidophilus W37, Lactococcus lactis W19, Lactobacillus casei W56, and Lactococcus lactis W58 alleviated vascular malfunction and arterial stiffness in obese postmenopausal women, and finally, while further research is needed, Prevotella maybe protective against postmenopausal bone mass loss. As several studies report the therapeutic potential of probiotics and since the gut microbiota of certain female pathological states has been relatively characterized, we speculate that the administration of certain bacterial species as probiotics is warranted, as novel independent or adjunct therapies for various female pathologies.

Altered gut microbiota in temporal lobe epilepsy with anxiety disorders

“…We also found that Bacteroides increased significantly in women. Specifically, the abundance of Bacteroides is responsible for the deconjugation of conjugated bile acids synthesized in the liver (Siddiqui et al, 2022 ). Bacteroides vulgatus was significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with controls (Qi et al, 2019 ; Siddiqui et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Specifically, the abundance of Bacteroides is responsible for the deconjugation of conjugated bile acids synthesized in the liver (Siddiqui et al, 2022 ). Bacteroides vulgatus was significantly higher in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared with controls (Qi et al, 2019 ; Siddiqui et al, 2022 ). We inferred that the TLEA female patients had disordered intestinal flora structures and increased Bacteroides compensatively.…”

Inflammation, Infiltration, and Evasion—Tumor Promotion in the Aging Breast

“…These discrepancies may reflect factors such as previous neoadjuvant treatments and antibiotic use, which can significantly impact microbiota and, thus, confound results. Another review published in 2022 reported conflicting results in post-menopausal women regarding the strains of bacteria that were increased or decreased in these groups [ 130 ]. A more in-depth 2022 study showed that the microbial composition of normal adipose breast tissue in breast cancer patients differed, and specific breast bacterial profiles were associated with tumor characteristics [ 131 ].…”

Causal Relationship Between Gut Microbiota and Gynecological Tumor:A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…Research on gynecological diseases has shown signi cantly reduced relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) [28]. Siddiqui et al found a decreased quantity of Lachnospiraceae in CC patients [29], while another study demonstrated a positive correlation between Lachnospiraceae and persistent HPV infection in CC, and a negative correlation with HPV clearance [30]. Lachnospiraceae is also associated with the risk of BC, as BC patients have lower relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae compared to the control group [31].…”