Study on the difference of gut microbiota and metabolites between urban and rural adolescents / 安徽医科大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective @#To investigate the differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between urban and rural middle school students and explore their significance in gut homeostasis , so as to establish a healthy lifestyle and diet for children.@*Methods @#Fecal samples were collected from middle school students in Hefei ( n = 14) and Jixi county ( n = 18 , Southern Anhui) , aged 13. 0 - 13. 5 years. Stool samples were sequenced by 16S ribosomal DNA (LC⁃MS) , followed by bioinformatic analysis. @*Results @# Lachnoclostridium and Anaerostipes were dominant in the urban students that had been reported to be associated with colorectal cancer, atherosclerosis , depression and other disorders. In the village children , Ruminococcaceae UCG⁃002 , Barnesiella and Eubacterium dominated. An increased proportion of these microbes were related to metabolism of bile acids , short⁃chain fatty acids , lipid and carbohydrate decomposition , and play an important role in maintaining immune balance and physiological function. Additionally , significant differences in gut metabolites of the two groups were noted , mainly in arachidonic acid metabolism , platelet activation , serotonin metabolism , vitamin absorption , primary bile acid metabolism and other pathways.@*Conclusion @#Adolescent students of urban and mountainous areas differ in gut microbiota and metabo⁃ lites. Rural children have a healthy bacterial flora and metabolites in guts due to a reasonable lifestyle and diet in comparison with the city children.