Differing Associations Between the Most Abundant Genera of the Fecal Microbiome and Sex, Fiber Intake Score, Stress, Stool Consistency and BMI in Healthy Young Adults

Objectives The objective of this secondary analysis was to characterize the relationships between the most abundant genera of the fecal microbiome and sex, fiber intake scores, stress, stool consistency and body mass index (BMI) in healthy young adults using data from the 1-week baseline period of a clinical study. Methods Data from a total of 182 participants (n = 120 female) with a mean age of 19.7 ± 0.1 y (mean ± SEM) and a healthy body mass index (BMI; 23.4 ± 0.3 kg/m2) were used. Participants self-reported stool consistency (Bristol stool score) as an estimate of gastrointestinal transit time and stress (0 = no stress to 10 = extremely stressed) daily for 1 week. The Rapid Eating Assessment-short questionnaire was completed at the end of baseline to assess intake frequency of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. The food frequency scores from the 3 food categories were summed for the fiber intake score. Microbial composition was determined by 16s rRNA sequencing of 1 stool sample provided during the baseline period. The top 15 genera, identified by % abundance of OTU reads, were selected for further analysis. Relationships between each of the genera and sex, fiber intake score, stress, stool consistency and BMI were assessed using a multiple linear regression model. Results The top 15 genera in descending % abundance were Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Dialister, Prevotella, Parabacteroides, Ruminococcus, Oscillospira, Sutterella, Phascolarctobacterium, Blautia, Bifidobacterium, Lachnospira, Roseburia, Eubacterium and Collinsella. The % abundance of Faecalibacterium was higher in men (P = 0.018) and was inversely related to intake of fiber containing foods (P = 0.034). Ruminococcus % abundance was inversely related to BMI (P = 0.020). Oscillospira % abundance was higher in women (P = 0.012) and decreased with increasing BMI (P = 0.024), stress (P = 0.032) and stool consistency score (i.e., looser stools; P = 0.027). Lachnospira % abundance increased with a increasing stool consistency score (P = 0.029) and with decreasing intake of fiber containing foods (P = 0.025). Conclusions These findings show differing associations between the most abundant genera of the fecal microbiome and sex, fiber intake score, stress, stool consistency and BMI in healthy young adults. Funding Sources Supported by Wakunaga of America Co., Ltd.

Maternal alcohol consumption may influence cord blood ascorbic acid concentration: findings from a study of Brazilian mothers and their newborns

Studies that have investigated ascorbic acid (AA) concentrations in cord blood have pointed to significant associations with maternal blood AA concentrations, smoking, age, diet, type of delivery, duration of gestation, fetal distress and birth weight. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between cord blood AA concentrations in newborns and maternal characteristics. A total of 117 Brazilian healthy parturients were included in this cross-sectional study. The concentrations of AA in blood were determined by the HPLC method. Data concerning socio-economic, demographic, obstetric, nutritional and health characteristics of the parturients, including alcohol consumption and smoking habit, were assessed by a standardised questionnaire. A FFQ was used to investigate the intake of foods rich in vitamin C. Cord blood AA concentration was significantly correlated with per capita income (r 0·26; P = 0·005), maternal blood AA concentration (r 0·48; P < 0·001) and maternal vitamin C-rich food intake score (r 0·36; P < 0·001). The linear regression model including maternal AA concentration, alcohol consumption, smoking, parity, vitamin C-rich food intake score and per capita income explained 31·13 % of the variation in cord blood AA concentrations in newborns. We recommend further experimental studies to assess the effects of ethanol on placental AA uptake, and epidemiological cohort studies to evaluate in detail the influence of maternal alcohol consumption on cord blood AA concentrations.