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Using Multi-fluorinated Bile Acids and In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Measure Bile Acid Transport
Published on: November 27, 2016
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Chronic diarrhea, bile acids, and Clostridia
Julian Rf Walters1,2, Julian R Marchesi1,3
1Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|December 10, 2019
Summary
Bile acid diarrhea (BAD) is linked to specific gut bacteria, particularly Clostridium scindens. Targeting these microbes may offer new treatments for this common functional bowel disorder.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) often involves excessive fecal bile acid (BA) loss.
- This condition, known as bile acid diarrhea (BAD), stems from impaired feedback regulation by fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fecal bacterial BA metabolism, microbiota composition, and BAD.
- To explore the potential of specific bacteria as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BAD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fecal and serum BAs, and FGF19 levels in patients with BAD and controls.
- Identification of associations between bacterial BA metabolism and specific gut microbiota, including Clostridium scindens.
- Validation of findings in a mouse model using microbiota transplantation and antibiotic treatment.
Main Results:
- Specific associations were found between fecal bacterial BA metabolism and particular microbiota.
- Clostridium scindens emerged as a key organism linked to BAD.
- Microbiota transplantation and antibiotic treatment in mice modulated BA metabolism and symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Fecal bacterial BA metabolism and specific microbiota, such as Clostridium scindens, are strongly associated with BAD.
- These findings suggest that Clostridium scindens could serve as a valuable biomarker for BAD.
- Targeting specific microbial communities involved in BA metabolism presents a promising therapeutic strategy for BAD.
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