Symptom prevalence, duration, and risk of hospital admission in individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 during periods of omicron and delta variant dominance: a prospective observational study from the ZOE COVID Study.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern, omicron, appears to be less severe than delta. We aim to quantify the differences in symptom prevalence, risk of hospital admission, and symptom duration among the vaccinated population. METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal observational study, we collected data from participants who were self-reporting test results and symptoms in the ZOE COVID app (previously known as the COVID Symptoms Study App). Eligible participants were aged 16-99 years, based in the UK, with a body-mass index between 15 and 55 kg/m2, had received at least two doses of any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, were symptomatic, and logged a positive symptomatic PCR or lateral flow result for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period. The primary outcome was the likelihood of developing a given symptom (of the 32 monitored in the app) or hospital admission within 7 days before or after the positive test in participants infected during omicron prevalence compared with those infected during delta prevalence. FINDINGS: Between June 1, 2021, and Jan 17, 2022, we identified 63 002 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and reported symptoms in the ZOE app. These patients were matched 1:1 for age, sex, and vaccination dose, across two periods (June 1 to Nov 27, 2021, delta prevalent at >70%; n=4990, and Dec 20, 2021, to Jan 17, 2022, omicron prevalent at >70%; n=4990). Loss of smell was less common in participants infected during omicron prevalence than during delta prevalence (16·7% vs 52·7%, odds ratio [OR] 0·17; 95% CI 0·16-0·19, p<0·001). Sore throat was more common during omicron prevalence than during delta prevalence (70·5% vs 60·8%, 1·55; 1·43-1·69, p<0·001). There was a lower rate of hospital admission during omicron prevalence than during delta prevalence (1·9% vs 2·6%, OR 0·75; 95% CI 0·57-0·98, p=0·03). INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of symptoms that characterise an omicron infection differs from those of the delta SARS-CoV-2 variant, apparently with less involvement of the lower respiratory tract and reduced probability of hospital admission. Our data indicate a shorter period of illness and potentially of infectiousness which should impact work-health policies and public health advice. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust, ZOE, National Institute for Health Research, Chronic Disease Research Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and Medical Research Council.

Plasma protein N-glycome composition associates with postprandial lipaemic response.

BACKGROUND: A dysregulated postprandial metabolic response is a risk factor for chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The plasma protein N-glycome is implicated in both lipid metabolism and T2DM risk. Hence, we first investigate the relationship between the N-glycome and postprandial metabolism and then explore the mediatory role of the plasma N-glycome in the relationship between postprandial lipaemia and T2DM. METHODS: We included 995 individuals from the ZOE-PREDICT 1 study with plasma N-glycans measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography at fasting and triglyceride, insulin, and glucose levels measured at fasting and following a mixed-meal challenge. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the associations between plasma protein N-glycosylation and metabolic response (fasting, postprandial (Cmax), or change from fasting). A mediation analysis was used to further explore the relationship of the N-glycome in the prediabetes (HbA1c = 39-47 mmol/mol (5.7-6.5%))-postprandial lipaemia association. RESULTS: We identified 36 out of 55 glycans significantly associated with postprandial triglycerides (Cmax ß ranging from -0.28 for low-branched glycans to 0.30 for GP26) after adjusting for covariates and multiple testing (padjusted < 0.05). N-glycome composition explained 12.6% of the variance in postprandial triglycerides not already explained by traditional risk factors. Twenty-seven glycans were also associated with postprandial glucose and 12 with postprandial insulin. Additionally, 3 of the postprandial triglyceride-associated glycans (GP9, GP11, and GP32) also correlate with prediabetes and partially mediate the relationship between prediabetes and postprandial triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the interconnections between plasma protein N-glycosylation and postprandial responses, demonstrating the incremental predictive benefit of N-glycans. We also suggest a considerable proportion of the effect of prediabetes on postprandial triglycerides is mediated by some plasma N-glycans.

Body mass index mediates the effect of the DASH diet on hypertension: Common metabolites underlying the association.

BACKGROUND: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is beneficial in reducing blood pressure; however, this may be a consequence of concurrent weight reduction. In the present study, we investigated whether body mass index (BMI) mediates the association between the DASH diet and hypertension and investigate common metabolic pathways. METHODS: We included 2424 females from the cross-sectional TwinsUK cohort, with blood pressure, BMI and dietary intake measured within 1.01 (SD = 0.68) years and serum metabolomics profiling (591 metabolites). We constructed a mediation model to test the mediation effects of BMI on the total effect of the DASH diet on hypertension. To identify a metabolite panel associated with the DASH diet and BMI, we built random forest models for each trait, and selected the common metabolic contributors using five-fold cross-validation error. RESULTS: We found that BMI fully mediates the association between the DASH diet and hypertension, explaining 39.1% of the variance in hypertension. We then identified a panel of six common metabolites predicting both the DASH diet and BMI with opposing effects. Interestingly, at the univariate level, the metabolites were also associated with hypertension in the same direction as BMI. The strongest feature, 1-nonadecanoyl-GPC (19:0), was positively associated with the DASH diet (ß [SE] = 0.65 [0.12]) and negatively with BMI (ß [SE] = -1.34 [0.12]) and hypertension (odds ratio = 0.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.6-0.84). CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the role of BMI in the mechanisms by which the DASH diet influences hypertension and also highlight common metabolic pathways. Further studies should investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms to increase our understanding of the beneficial ways of treating hypertension.

Population differentiation in a Mediterranean relict shrub: the potential role of local adaptation for coping with climate change.

Plants can respond to climate change by either migrating, adapting to the new conditions or going extinct. Relict plant species of limited distribution can be especially vulnerable as they are usually composed of small and isolated populations, which may reduce their ability to cope with rapidly changing environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the vulnerability of Cneorum tricoccon L. (Cneoraceae), a Mediterranean relict shrub of limited distribution, to a future drier climate. We evaluated population differentiation in functional traits related to drought tolerance across seven representative populations of the species' range. We measured morphological and physiological traits in both the field and the greenhouse under three water availability levels. Large phenotypic differences among populations were found under field conditions. All populations responded plastically to simulated drought, but they differed in mean trait values as well as in the slope of the phenotypic response. Particularly, dry-edge populations exhibited multiple functional traits that favored drought tolerance, such as more sclerophyllous leaves, strong stomatal control but high photosynthetic rates, which increases water use efficiency (iWUE), and an enhanced ability to accumulate sugars as osmolytes. Although drought decreased RGR in all populations, this reduction was smaller for populations from the dry edge. Our results suggest that dry-edge populations of this relict species are well adapted to drought, which could potentially mitigate the species' extinction risk under drier scenarios. Dry-edge populations not only have a great conservation value but can also change expectations from current species' distribution models.

Machine Learning Metabolomics Profiling of Dietary Interventions from a Six-Week Randomised Trial.

Metabolomics can uncover physiological responses to prebiotic fibre and omega-3 fatty acid supplements with known health benefits and identify response-specific metabolites. We profiled 534 stool and 799 serum metabolites in 64 healthy adults following a 6-week randomised trial comparing daily omega-3 versus inulin supplementation. Elastic net regressions were used to separately identify the serum and stool metabolites whose change in concentration discriminated between the two types of supplementations. Random forest was used to explore the gut microbiome's contribution to the levels of the identified metabolites from matching stool samples. Changes in serum 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate and indoleproprionate levels accurately discriminated between fibre and omega-3 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.99]), while stool eicosapentaenoate indicated omega-3 supplementation (AUC = 0.86 [95% CI: 0.64-0.98]). Univariate analysis also showed significant increases in indoleproprionate with fibre, 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoate, and eicosapentaenoate with omega-3. Out of these, only the change in indoleproprionate was partly explained by changes in the gut microbiome composition (AUC = 0.61 [95% CI: 0.58-0.64] and Rho = 0.21 [95% CI: 0.08-0.34]) and positively correlated with the increase in the abundance of the genus Coprococcus (p = 0.005). Changes in three metabolites discriminated between fibre and omega-3 supplementation. The increase in indoleproprionate with fibre was partly explained by shifts in the gut microbiome, particularly Coprococcus, previously linked to better health.

Cross-sectional analyses of metabolites across biological samples mediating dietary acid load and chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health burden, with dietary acid load (DAL) and gut microbiota playing crucial roles. As DAL can affect the host metabolome, potentially via the gut microbiota, we cross-sectionally investigated the interplay between DAL, host metabolome, gut microbiota, and early-stage CKD (TwinsUK, n = 1,453). DAL was positively associated with CKD stage G1-G2 (Beta (95% confidence interval) = 0.34 (0.007; 0.7), p = 0.046). After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing, we identified 15 serum, 14 urine, 8 stool, and 7 saliva metabolites, primarily lipids and amino acids, associated with both DAL and CKD progression. Of these, 8 serum, 2 urine, and one stool metabolites were found to mediate the DAL-CKD association. Furthermore, the stool metabolite 5-methylhexanoate (i7:0) correlated with 26 gut microbial species. Our findings emphasize the gut microbiota's therapeutic potential in countering DAL's impact on CKD through the host metabolome. Interventional and longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality.

Identification of oxidative stress related proteins as biomarkers for lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in bronchoalveolar lavage.

Lung cancer (LC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly coexist in smokers, and the presence of COPD increases the risk of developing LC. Cigarette smoke causes oxidative stress and an inflammatory response in lung cells, which in turn may be involved in COPD and lung cancer development. The aim of this study was to identify differential proteomic profiles related to oxidative stress response that were potentially involved in these two pathological entities. Protein content was assessed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 60 patients classified in four groups: COPD, COPD and LC, LC, and control (neither COPD nor LC). Proteins were separated into spots by two dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and examined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). A total of 16 oxidative stress regulatory proteins were differentially expressed in BAL samples from LC and/or COPD patients as compared with the control group. A distinct proteomic reactive oxygen species (ROS) protein signature emerged that characterized lung cancer and COPD. In conclusion, our findings highlight the role of the oxidative stress response proteins in the pathogenic pathways of both diseases, and provide new candidate biomarkers and predictive tools for LC and COPD diagnosis.

Predictive metabolites for incident myocardial infarction: a two-step meta-analysis of individual patient data from six cohorts comprising 7897 individuals from the COnsortium of METabolomics Studies.

AIMS: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Most metabolomics studies investigating metabolites predicting MI are limited by the participant number and/or the demographic diversity. We sought to identify biomarkers of incident MI in the COnsortium of METabolomics Studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 7897 individuals aged on average 66 years from six intercontinental cohorts with blood metabolomic profiling (n = 1428 metabolites, of which 168 were present in at least three cohorts with over 80% prevalence) and MI information (1373 cases). We performed a two-stage individual patient data meta-analysis. We first assessed the associations between circulating metabolites and incident MI for each cohort adjusting for traditional risk factors and then performed a fixed effect inverse variance meta-analysis to pull the results together. Finally, we conducted a pathway enrichment analysis to identify potential pathways linked to MI. On meta-analysis, 56 metabolites including 21 lipids and 17 amino acids were associated with incident MI after adjusting for multiple testing (false discovery rate < 0.05), and 10 were novel. The largest increased risk was observed for the carbohydrate mannitol/sorbitol {hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.40 [1.26-1.56], P < 0.001}, whereas the largest decrease in risk was found for glutamine [HR (95% CI) = 0.74 (0.67-0.82), P < 0.001]. Moreover, the identified metabolites were significantly enriched (corrected P < 0.05) in pathways previously linked with cardiovascular diseases, including aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS: In the most comprehensive metabolomic study of incident MI to date, 10 novel metabolites were associated with MI. Metabolite profiles might help to identify high-risk individuals before disease onset. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and elaborate pathway findings.

Genetic and gut microbiome determinants of SCFA circulating and fecal levels, postprandial responses and links to chronic and acute inflammation.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are involved in immune system and inflammatory responses. We comprehensively assessed the host genetic and gut microbial contribution to a panel of eight serum and stool SCFAs in two cohorts (TwinsUK, n = 2507; ZOE PREDICT-1, n = 328), examined their postprandial changes and explored their links with chronic and acute inflammatory responses in healthy individuals and trauma patients. We report low concordance between circulating and fecal SCFAs, significant postprandial changes in most circulating SCFAs, and a heritable genetic component (average h2: serum = 14%(SD = 14%); stool = 12%(SD = 6%)). Furthermore, we find that gut microbiome can accurately predict their fecal levels (AUC>0.71) while presenting weaker associations with serum. Finally, we report different correlation patterns with inflammatory markers depending on the type of inflammatory response (chronic or acute trauma). Our results illustrate the breadth of the physiological relevance of SCFAs on human inflammatory and metabolic responses highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of this important class of molecules.

A Fecal Metabolite Signature of Impaired Fasting Glucose: Results From Two Independent Population-Based Cohorts.

Prediabetes is a metabolic condition associated with gut microbiome composition, although mechanisms remain elusive. We searched for fecal metabolites, a readout of gut microbiome function, associated with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in 142 individuals with IFG and 1,105 healthy individuals from the UK Adult Twin Registry (TwinsUK). We used the Cooperative Health Research in the Region of Augsburg (KORA) cohort (318 IFG individuals, 689 healthy individuals) to replicate our findings. We linearly combined eight IFG-positively associated metabolites (1-methylxantine, nicotinate, glucuronate, uridine, cholesterol, serine, caffeine, and protoporphyrin IX) into an IFG-metabolite score, which was significantly associated with higher odds ratios (ORs) for IFG (TwinsUK: OR 3.9 [95% CI 3.02-5.02], P < 0.0001, KORA: OR 1.3 [95% CI 1.16-1.52], P < 0.0001) and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D; TwinsUK: hazard ratio 4 [95% CI 1.97-8], P = 0.0002). Although these are host-produced metabolites, we found that the gut microbiome is strongly associated with their fecal levels (area under the curve >70%). Abundances of Faecalibacillus intestinalis, Dorea formicigenerans, Ruminococcus torques, and Dorea sp. AF24-7LB were positively associated with IFG, and such associations were partially mediated by 1-methylxanthine and nicotinate (variance accounted for mean 14.4% [SD 5.1], P < 0.05). Our results suggest that the gut microbiome is linked to prediabetes not only via the production of microbial metabolites but also by affecting intestinal absorption/excretion of host-produced metabolites and xenobiotics, which are correlated with the risk of IFG. Fecal metabolites enable modeling of another mechanism of gut microbiome effect on prediabetes and T2D onset. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: Prediabetes is a metabolic condition associated with gut microbiome composition, although mechanisms remain elusive. We investigated whether there is a fecal metabolite signature of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and the possible underlying mechanisms of action. We identified a fecal metabolite signature of IFG associated with prevalent IFG in two independent cohorts and incident type 2 diabetes in a subanalysis. Although the signature consists of metabolites of nonmicrobial origin, it is strongly correlated with gut microbiome composition. Fecal metabolites enable modeling of another mechanism of gut microbiome effect on prediabetes by affecting intestinal absorption or excretion of host compounds and xenobiotics.

The secondary bile acid isoursodeoxycholate correlates with post-prandial lipemia, inflammation, and appetite and changes post-bariatric surgery.

Primary and secondary bile acids (BAs) influence metabolism and inflammation, and the gut microbiome modulates levels of BAs. We systematically explore the host genetic, gut microbial, and habitual dietary contribution to a panel of 19 serum and 15 stool BAs in two population-based cohorts (TwinsUK, n = 2,382; ZOE PREDICT-1, n = 327) and assess changes post-bariatric surgery and after nutritional interventions. We report that BAs have a moderately heritable genetic component, and the gut microbiome accurately predicts their levels in serum and stool. The secondary BA isoursodeoxycholate (isoUDCA) can be explained mostly by gut microbes (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = ∼80%) and associates with post-prandial lipemia and inflammation (GlycA). Furthermore, circulating isoUDCA decreases significantly 1 year after bariatric surgery (ß = -0.72, p = 1 × 10-5) and in response to fiber supplementation (ß = -0.37, p < 0.03) but not omega-3 supplementation. In healthy individuals, isoUDCA fasting levels correlate with pre-meal appetite (p < 1 × 10-4). Our findings indicate an important role for isoUDCA in lipid metabolism, appetite, and, potentially, cardiometabolic risk.

Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci in Cneorum tricoccon (Cneoraceae), a Mediterranean relict plant.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The main aim of this study was to isolate and characterize microsatellite loci in Cneorum tricoccon (Cneoraceae), a Mediterranean shrub relict of the early Tertiary, which inhabits western Mediterranean islands and coasts. Microsatellites will be useful for investigating biogeography and landscape genetics across the species distribution range, including current or past gene flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventeen microsatellite loci were characterized, of which 10 were polymorphic and amplified for a total of 56 alleles in three populations of C. tricoccon. The markers revealed average coefficients of expected heterozygosity (H(e) = 0.425), observed heterozygosity (H(o) = 0.282), and inbreeding coefficient value per population (F(IS) = 0.408). CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite primers will potentially be useful in the study of population and landscape genetics, conservation status of isolated populations, island-continental distribution, current or historical movements between populations, and in the investigation of the consequences of dispersal mechanisms of these plants.

Cross-Sectional Blood Metabolite Markers of Hypertension: A Multicohort Analysis of 44,306 Individuals from the COnsortium of METabolomics Studies.

Hypertension is the main modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but discovering molecular mechanisms for targeted treatment has been challenging. Here we investigate associations of blood metabolite markers with hypertension by integrating data from nine intercontinental cohorts from the COnsortium of METabolomics Studies. We included 44,306 individuals with circulating metabolites (up to 813). Metabolites were aligned and inverse normalised to allow intra-platform comparison. Logistic models adjusting for covariates were performed in each cohort and results were combined using random-effect inverse-variance meta-analyses adjusting for multiple testing. We further conducted canonical pathway analysis to investigate the pathways underlying the hypertension-associated metabolites. In 12,479 hypertensive cases and 31,827 controls without renal impairment, we identified 38 metabolites, associated with hypertension after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, ethnicity, and multiple testing. Of these, 32 metabolite associations, predominantly lipid (steroids and fatty acyls) and organic acids (amino-, hydroxy-, and keto-acids) remained after further adjusting for comorbidities and dietary intake. Among the identified metabolites, 5 were novel, including 2 bile acids, 2 glycerophospholipids, and ketoleucine. Pathway analysis further implicates the role of the amino-acids, serine/glycine, and bile acids in hypertension regulation. In the largest cross-sectional hypertension-metabolomics study to date, we identify 32 circulating metabolites (of which 5 novel and 27 confirmed) that are potentially actionable targets for intervention. Further in-vivo studies are needed to identify their specific role in the aetiology or progression of hypertension.

The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between gut microbiota and diet in cardio-metabolic health.

The gut microbiota plays an important role in cardio-metabolic diseases with diet being among the strongest modulators of gut microbiota composition and function. Resistant dietary carbohydrates are fermented to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut bacteria. Fiber and omega-3 rich diets increase SCFAs production and abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria. Likewise, SCFAs can improve gut barrier integrity, glucose, and lipid metabolism, regulate the immune system, the inflammatory response, and blood pressure. Therefore, targeting the gut microbiota with dietary strategies leading to increased SCFA production may benefit cardio-metabolic health. In this review, we provide an overview of the association between diet, SCFAs produced by the gut microbiota and cardio-metabolic diseases. We first discuss the association between the human gut microbiota and cardio-metabolic diseases, then investigate the role of SCFAs and finally explore the beneficial effects of specific dietary interventions that can improve cardio-metabolic outcomes through boosting the SCFA production.

Circulating Levels of the Short-Chain Fatty Acid Acetate Mediate the Effect of the Gut Microbiome on Visceral Fat.

BACKGROUND: Acetate is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by gut bacteria, which has been implicated in cardio-metabolic health. Here we examine the relationships of circulating acetate levels with gut microbiome composition and diversity and with visceral fat in a large population-based cohort. RESULTS: Microbiome alpha-diversity was positively correlated with circulating acetate levels (Shannon, Beta [95%CI] = 0.12 [0.06, 0.18], P = 0.002) after adjustment for covariates. Six serum acetate-associated bacterial genera were also identified, including positive correlations with Coprococcus, Barnesiella, Ruminococcus, and Ruminococcaceae NK4A21 and negative correlations were observed with Lachnoclostridium and Bacteroides. We also identified a correlation between visceral fat and serum acetate levels (Beta [95%CI] = -0.07 [-0.11, -0.04], P = 2.8 × 10-4) and between visceral fat and Lachnoclostridium (Beta [95%CI] = 0.076 [0.042, 0.11], P = 1.44 × 10-5). Formal mediation analysis revealed that acetate mediates ∼10% of the total effect of Lachnoclostridium on visceral fat. The taxonomic diversity showed that Lachnoclostridium and Coprococcus comprise at least 18 and 9 species, respectively, including novel bacterial species. By predicting the functional capabilities, we found that Coprococcus spp. present pathways involved in acetate production and metabolism of vitamins B, whereas we identified pathways related to the biosynthesis of trimethylamine (TMA) and CDP-diacylglycerol in Lachnoclostridium spp. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that gut microbiota composition and diversity may influence circulating acetate levels and that acetate might exert benefits on certain cardio-metabolic disease risk by decreasing visceral fat. Coprococcus may play an important role in host health by its production of vitamins B and SCFAs, whereas Lachnoclostridium might have an opposing effect by influencing negatively the circulating levels of acetate and being involved in the biosynthesis of detrimental lipid compounds.

A High Protein Diet Is More Effective in Improving Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Variability Compared to a Mediterranean Diet-A Cross-Over Controlled Inpatient Dietary Study.

The optimal dietary pattern to improve metabolic function remains elusive. In a 21-day randomized controlled inpatient crossover feeding trial of 20 insulin-resistant obese women, we assessed the extent to which two isocaloric dietary interventions-Mediterranean (M) and high protein (HP)-improved metabolic parameters. Obese women were assigned to one of the following dietary sequences: M-HP or HP-M. Cardiometabolic parameters, body weight, glucose monitoring and gut microbiome composition were assessed. Sixteen women completed the study. Compared to the M diet, the HP diet was more effective in (i) reducing insulin resistance (insulin: Beta (95% CI) = -6.98 (-12.30, -1.65) µIU/mL, p = 0.01; HOMA-IR: -1.78 (95% CI: -3.03, -0.52), p = 9 × 10-3); and (ii) improving glycemic variability (-3.13 (-4.60, -1.67) mg/dL, p = 4 × 10-4), a risk factor for T2D development. We then identified a panel of 10 microbial genera predictive of the difference in glycemic variability between the two diets. These include the genera Coprococcus and Lachnoclostridium, previously associated with glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Our results suggest that morbidly obese women with insulin resistance can achieve better control of insulin resistance and glycemic variability on a high HP diet compared to an M diet.

Gut microbiome diversity and composition is associated with hypertension in women.

OBJECTIVES: Animal studies support a role for the gut microbiota in hypertension development, but large human studies are lacking. Here, we investigated the relationship between hypertension prevalence and gut microbial composition in two cohorts. METHODS: We included 871 unrelated TwinsUK women with faecal microbiome data (16s rRNA gene sequencing). Multivariable linear models adjusted for age, age2 and BMI as well as MiRKAT models, were used to estimate the association of hypertension with alpha- and beta-diversity metrics. To identify taxa associated with hypertension, a generalized additive model for location scale and shape was computed adjusting for covariates and multiple testing. Results were replicated in 448 women from PREDICT-1. RESULTS: We found that measures of alpha diversity are significantly lower in hypertensive cases [Beta(95% confidence interval, 95% CI) = -0.05 (-0.095 to -0.004), P = 0.03] and a significant association between beta diversity and hypertension (FDR < 0.05). We identified and replicated two genera associated with hypertension. The genus, Ruminiclostridium 6 was less abundant in hypertension cases [meta-analysis (95% CI) = -0.31 (-0.5 to -0.13), P = 1 × 10-3]. The uncultured microbe Erysipelotrichacea-UCG003 was more abundant in hypertensive cases [meta-analysis (95% CI) = 0.46 (0.3-0.62), P = 1 × 10-4]. We genomically analysed the 16 s rRNA sequence and established a 100% identity match with the 16 s rRNA sequence of the genus Faecalibacillus. We functionally annotated Ruminiclostridium, identifying 83 metabolic pathways, including pathways previously linked to blood pressure regulation. CONCLUSION: In this large human observation, we show that gut microbiome diversity and composition are associated with hypertension. Our results suggest that targeting the microbiome may be a novel means to prevent or treat hypertension.

The CYP3A4 *1B polymorphism and prostate cancer susceptibility in a Portuguese population.

Testosterone exposure has been implicated in prostate carcinogenesis, and genes that alter its metabolism, such as CYP3A4, have been associated with prostate cancer susceptibility. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between the CYP3A4 *1B polymorphism and its possible role in the development of prostate cancer. DNA samples obtained from the peripheral blood cells of 414 individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer and 337 healthy male donors were used in this case-control study. The CYP3A4*1B polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology. We found no statistically significant differences in the distribution of the CYP3A4*1B genotypes between cases and controls (P = 0.470; odds ratio = 1.191; 95% confidence interval=0.740-1.918), as well as after the stratification of our analysis, according to important clinicopathologic parameters of prostate cancer. Our results suggest that the CYP3A4*1B polymorphism is not associated with prostate cancer risk within the Portuguese population.

Population size, center-periphery, and seed dispersers' effects on the genetic diversity and population structure of the Mediterranean relict shrub Cneorum tricoccon.

The effect of population size on population genetic diversity and structure has rarely been studied jointly with other factors such as the position of a population within the species' distribution range or the presence of mutualistic partners influencing dispersal. Understanding these determining factors for genetic variation is critical for conservation of relict plants that are generally suffering from genetic deterioration. Working with 16 populations of the vulnerable relict shrub Cneorum tricoccon throughout the majority of its western Mediterranean distribution range, and using nine polymorphic microsatellite markers, we examined the effects of periphery (peripheral vs. central), population size (large vs. small), and seed disperser (introduced carnivores vs. endemic lizards) on the genetic diversity and population structure of the species. Contrasting genetic variation (HE: 0.04-0.476) was found across populations. Peripheral populations showed lower genetic diversity, but this was dependent on population size. Large peripheral populations showed high levels of genetic diversity, whereas small central populations were less diverse. Significant isolation by distance was detected, indicating that the effect of long-distance gene flow is limited relative to that of genetic drift, probably due to high selfing rates (FIS = 0.155-0.887), restricted pollen flow, and ineffective seed dispersal. Bayesian clustering also supported the strong population differentiation and highly fragmented structure. Contrary to expectations, the type of disperser showed no significant effect on either population genetic diversity or structure. Our results challenge the idea of an effect of periphery per se that can be mainly explained by population size, drawing attention to the need of integrative approaches considering different determinants of genetic variation. Furthermore, the very low genetic diversity observed in several small populations and the strong among-population differentiation highlight the conservation value of large populations throughout the species' range, particularly in light of climate change and direct human threats.