title: Prebiotic inulin-type fructans induce specific changes in the human gut microbiota.
abstract: Contrary to the long-standing prerequisite of inducing selective (ie, bifidogenic) effects, recent findings suggest that prebiotic interventions lead to ecosystem-wide microbiota shifts. Yet, a comprehensive characterisation of this process is still lacking. Here, we apply 16S rDNA microbiota profiling and matching (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) metabolomics to assess the consequences of inulin fermentation both on the composition of the colon bacterial ecosystem and faecal metabolites profiles.
  
  
  
  Faecal samples collected during a double-blind, randomised, cross-over intervention study set up to assess the effect of inulin consumption on stool frequency in healthy adults with mild constipation were analysed. Faecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles were linked to the study's clinical outcome as well as to quality-of-life measurements recorded.
  
  
  
  While faecal metabolite profiles were not significantly altered by inulin consumption, our analyses did detect a modest effect on global microbiota composition and specific inulin-induced changes in relative abundances ofAnaerostipes,BilophilaandBifidobacteriumwere identified. The observed decrease inBilophilaabundances following inulin consumption was associated with both softer stools and a favourable change in constipation-specific quality-of-life measures.
  
  
  
  Ecosystem-wide analysis of the effect of a dietary intervention with prebiotic inulin-type fructans on the colon microbiota revealed that this effect is specifically associated with three genera, one of which (Bilophila) representing a promising novel target for mechanistic research.
  
  
  
  NCT02548247.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|VIB, Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Research Group of Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3019-5585
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vandeputte
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|VIB, Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gwen
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2450-0782
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Falony
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|VIB, Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vieira-Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|VIB, Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: BENEO-Institute, Obrigheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sailer
authors.affiliation: BENEO-Institute, Obrigheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theis
authors.affiliation: KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Translational Research in Gastrointestinal Diseases (TARGID), Laboratory of Digestion and Absorption, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verbeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.|VIB, Center for Microbiology, Leuven, Belgium.|Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Research Group of Microbiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raes
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003106:Colon / Q000382:microbiology*; D003248:Constipation / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D055442:Metabolome; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000382:microbiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D056692:Prebiotics; D007444:Inulin
keywords: COLONIC MICROFLORA; CONSTIPATION; PREBIOTIC