Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Assessing Hepatic Metabolic Changes During Progressive Colonization of Germ-free Mouse by 1H NMR Spectroscopy
07:54

Assessing Hepatic Metabolic Changes During Progressive Colonization of Germ-free Mouse by 1H NMR Spectroscopy

Published on: December 15, 2011

13.6K

Gut colonization with methanobrevibacter smithii is associated with childhood weight development

Catherine A Mbakwa1,2, John Penders2,3, Paul H Savelkoul3

  • 1Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|November 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The gut archaeon Methanobrevibacter smithii is linked to increased overweight risk and higher BMI in children aged 6-10. Higher counts of this microbe correlate with greater weight gain and rising BMI z-scores over time.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric health
  • Gut microbiota composition

Background:

  • The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host metabolism and health.
  • Archaea are a domain of microorganisms, with Methanobrevibacter smithii being a prominent gut inhabitant.
  • Understanding the role of specific gut microbes in childhood development is essential for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the presence and quantity of archaea in children's feces and their weight development.
  • To examine the relationship between Methanobrevibacter smithii colonization and the risk of overweight in children from 6 to 10 years of age.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to measure archaea (Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanosphera stadtmanae) in fecal samples from 472 children.
  • Anthropometric data, including body mass index (BMI) z-scores, weight, and height, were collected repeatedly between ages 6 and 10.
  • Statistical analysis employed generalized estimating equations, controlling for potential confounders.

Main Results:

  • Methanobrevibacter smithii colonization was associated with a 2.69-fold increased risk of overweight.
  • Children with high levels of M. smithii (>7 log10 copies/g feces) showed the highest risk for overweight (OR = 3.27).
  • M. smithii colonization correlated with higher weight z-scores and an age-dependent increase in BMI z-scores.

Conclusions:

  • The presence and higher counts of Methanobrevibacter smithii in the gut are linked to increased weight z-scores, BMI z-scores, and overweight in children.
  • These findings highlight a potential role for M. smithii in pediatric weight development.
  • Further research may explore targeted interventions based on gut microbiota composition.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Models of Murine Vaginal Colonization by Anaerobically Grown Bacteria08:53

Models of Murine Vaginal Colonization by Anaerobically Grown Bacteria

Published on: May 25, 2022

4.7K
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

21.2K

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
34
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
37
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
91.5K
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
40
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
43
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
68