Cranberry extracts promote growth of Bacteroidaceae and decrease abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in a human gut...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Human Gut Microbiome
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a primary cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs), originating from the gut microbiota reservoir.
• Antibiotic resistance and collateral damage to the gut microbiome necessitate alternative UTI prevention strategies.
• American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) consumption is popularly linked to reduced UTI recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that cranberry's benefit for UTIs stems from prebiotic or antimicrobial effects on the gut microbiota.
• To identify specific cranberry compounds responsible for modulating the gut microbiome composition.
• To assess the antimicrobial activity of cranberry compounds against E. coli.

Main Methods:

• Cranberry extracts and whole cranberry powder were tested on a human gut microbiome-derived community in a gut simulator.
• Specific compounds isolated from cranberries were tested for antimicrobial activity against laboratory and clinical E. coli strains.
• The impact of salicylate on gut microbiota composition (Enterobacteriaceae and Bacteroidaceae levels) was evaluated in a gut simulator.

Main Results:

• Cranberry components modulated the gut microbiota, decreasing Enterobacteriaceae and increasing Bacteroidaceae abundance.
• Salicylate, a cranberry compound, demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. coli isolates.
• Salicylate dose-dependently reduced Enterobacteriaceae and increased Bacteroidaceae in the gut simulator model.

Conclusions:

• Cranberry consumption may influence the gut microbiome composition, potentially contributing to UTI prevention.
• Salicylate is identified as a key cranberry compound with antimicrobial properties against E. coli.
• Salicylate's ability to modulate gut microbiota suggests a mechanism for cranberry's beneficial effects on UTIs.