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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

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Childhood BMI in relation to microbiota in infancy and lifetime antibiotic use

K Korpela1, M A C Zijlmans2, M Kuitunen3

  • 1Immunobiology Research Program, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, University of Helsinki, Haartmaninkatu 3, PO box 21, 00014, Helsinki, Finland. katri.korpela@helsinki.fi.

Microbiome
|March 4, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Early infant gut bacteria composition, particularly streptococci and bifidobacteria, predicts later body mass index (BMI). Antibiotic use significantly influences this association, highlighting potential obesity prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Pediatric health
  • Metabolic programming

Background:

  • High body mass index (BMI) in early childhood is a risk factor for obesity.
  • Intestinal microbiota and antibiotic exposure are potential modulators of early metabolic development.
  • Identifying early risk factors for excessive weight gain is crucial for preventive interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant intestinal microbiota composition and later BMI.
  • To determine if antibiotic use modifies the relationship between microbiota and BMI.
  • To explore the role of microbiota in early metabolic programming and weight development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of fecal microbiota composition at 3 months of age in two infant cohorts.
  • Measurement of weight and height to determine BMI at 5-6 years of age.
  • Collection of lifetime antibiotic use records for all participants.

Main Results:

  • Positive association found between streptococci abundance and later BMI.
  • Negative association found between bifidobacteria abundance and later BMI.
  • The microbiota-BMI association was stronger in children with a history of antibiotic use; Bacteroides association was seen only with minimal antibiotic exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Infant intestinal microbiota composition can predict later BMI, serving as an early obesity risk indicator.
  • Bifidobacteria and streptococci, as indicators of infant microbiota maturation, are implicated in infant metabolic programming.
  • The impact of these bacteria on BMI appears contingent on subsequent antibiotic exposure.
Abstract

Keywords:
BifidobacteriaChildhood overweightEarly-life microbiotaMetabolic programmingMicroarray

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