ISAPP 2018

Abstract

Title Effect of Iron and Haem on the Composition and Activity of the Gut Microbiota Using In Vitro Models
Type Poster Presentation
Theme Probiotics and Prebiotics: Excellence in Science and Clinical Translation
Topic Translational Microbiome Studies

Authors

Main Author Andrea Monteagudo-Mera¹
Presenting Author Andrea Monteagudo-Mera¹
Co-Author Arvind Salunkhe¹ Kang Ooi Ooi¹ Gemma Walton² Sandrine Claus² Glenn Gibson² Dora Pereira³ Simon Andrews¹

Authors' Institution

Department / Institution / Country School of Biological Sciences / University of Reading / United Kingdom¹ Department of Food & Nutritional Sciences / University of Reading / United Kingdom² Department of Pathology. / Wellcome Trust Cambridge Centre for Global Health Research/University of Cambridge / United Kingdom³

Content

Background and Rationale Iron deficiency is considered the most common form of malnutrition resulting in iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA). Those with IDA suffer from fatigue, poor concentration and weakened immunity, representing a major economic and societal burden. IDA is treated by oral iron supplements which often cause undesirable gastrointestinal side-effects.
Objectives: Indicates the purpose of the study The long-term aim of our project (www.ironmicrobiome.com) is to understand how the quantity, form and availability of iron in the diet impact the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota, and how these changes can have a beneficial or detrimental effect on health.
Methodology: Describe pertinent experimental procedures In vitro fermentations, pH-controlled, were used to mimic the conditions of the proximal colon. Fermentations were performed using fresh faecal samples provided by 3 healthy donors. The effect of iron and/or haem on the faecal microbiota composition was determined using NGS-based community profiling (16S rRNA sequencing). In addition, metabolic end products such as lactate and short chain fatty acids were quantified using gas chromatography (GC) and metal levels were determined by ICP-OES.
Results: Summarize the results of the research Firstly, the work was aimed at optimising and validating the gut model medium (GMM) of the in vitro models that will be employed in the study. The standard GMM without iron supplementation contains around 28µM Fe. A modified, more iron restricted (4 µM) GMM has now been defined to enable iron deficiency conditions.Overall, the presence of haem at 77µM or FeSO₄ at 180 µM reduced significantly the alpha-diversity of the microbiota and increased the proportion of Enterobacteriales and Clostridiales. In contrast, Bacteroides abundance decreased in presence of high haem. However, these changes were not sufficient to affect SCFA levels.
Conclusions: State the main conclusions These findings indicate a dysbiosis induced by iron/haem and future in vitro experiments are aimed at studying the impact of Fe deficiency and various iron supplements, and the ability of prebiotics to reverse dysbiosis caused by adverse iron regime.

Keywords: Iron, haem, Microbiota, Iron-deficiency anemia, gut model
Requires Audio or Video system for Presentation?: No