Diet drives quick changes in the metabolic activity and composition of human gut microbiota in a validated in vitro gut model.
The aim of this study was to screen how rapidly the human gut microbiota responds to diet in an in vitro model of the proximal colon (TIM-2 system). Two experimental diets were provided to the gut bacteria: a high carbohydrate and a high protein diet. The metabolic response and the composition of the microbiota were compared to a control diet simulating an average western meal. Short-chain and branched-chain fatty acids (SCFA and BCFA, respectively) production, in addition to changes in the community composition (profiling), were measured. The activity of the microbiota reflected differences between diets, exhibiting a trade-off between saccharolytic and proteolytic fermentation when compared to the control. Diversity analysis revealed a phylum-specific response depending on the diet tested. Most changes in the microbiome composition occurred during the first 24 h of the experiment. The outcome of this study elucidates the fact that human gut bacteria quickly respond to changes in diet. In addition, it confirms that variations in the concentration of carbohydrates and proteins modify the activity and composition of the microbiota, and these changes can potentially have an impact on the health of the host.
Top Institute of Food & Nutrition, PO Box 557, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; Maastricht University, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Human Biology, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands; The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, PO Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands. Electronic address: marisol.aguirremorales@tno.nl.
Marisol
M
Aguirre
VU University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.eckhauer@vumc.nl.
Anat
A
Eck
The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, PO Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands.
Marjorie E
ME
Koenen
VU University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Maastricht University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: p.savelkoul@vumc.nl.
Paul H M
PH
Savelkoul
VU University Medical Center, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: D.Budding@vumc.nl.
Andries E
AE
Budding
Top Institute of Food & Nutrition, PO Box 557, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, PO Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands; Beneficial Microbes Consultancy, Johan Karschstraat 3, 6709 TN Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: koen.venema@outlook.com.
Koen
K
Venema
D058448:Biota; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005285:Fermentation; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013997:Time Factors
D005227:Fatty Acids
Dietary formulations; Fermentation; In vitro techniques; Microbiota; Microbiota profiling