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A toddler SHIME® model to study microbiota of young children

Pauline Bondue1, Sarah Lebrun1, Bernard Taminiau1

  • 1Department of Food Science, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animal and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Quartier Vallée 2, Avenue de Cureghem 10, 4000 Liège, Belgium.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|August 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) model successfully replicated toddler gut microbiota, showing unique bacterial populations and characteristics. This model is valuable for studying early-life gut health and potential interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The first 1000 days of life are critical for gut microbiota development and long-term health.
  • Understanding toddler gut microbiota is essential for addressing early-life health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reproduce the digestive process and colonic environment of toddlers using an in vitro model.
  • To analyze the gut microbiota composition and function in young children.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME®) model.
  • Inoculated SHIME® colonic vessels with fecal samples from toddlers (1-2 years old).
  • Analyzed short-chain fatty acid concentrations (HPLC) and microbial diversity (16S rRNA sequencing).

Main Results:

  • The SHIME® model microbiota exhibited characteristics shared between adults and infants.
  • Microbial diversity and bacterial populations were specific to each colonic vessel.
  • The study observed biofilm development within the in vitro gastrointestinal model.

Conclusions:

  • The developed SHIME® model is suitable for evaluating prebiotic/probiotic effects on toddler microbiota.
  • The model can be used to study the metabolism of drugs and endocrine disruptors in young children.
  • This research is the first to report biofilm development in in vitro gastrointestinal models.

Keywords:
Enterobacter cloacaeMegasphera massiliensisSHIME® modelbiofilmmicrobiotatoddler

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