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Gut Microbiome Alterations in Patients With Thyroid Nodules.
Ang Li1, Tiantian Li1, Xinxin Gao1
1Health Management Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|April 1, 2021
Summary
Thyroid nodules are linked to reduced gut microbial diversity and altered gut bacteria function, including lower butyrate production. These findings suggest a gut-thyroid connection and potential microbial targets for thyroid health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Thyroid nodules affect a large portion of the adult population.
- The gut microbiota influences thyroid metabolism, but its role in thyroid nodules is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gut microbiota composition and thyroid nodules.
- To explore the gut-thyroid axis in patients with thyroid nodules.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide association study of gut microbiome in 196 thyroid nodule patients and 283 controls.
- Whole-genome shotgun sequencing was utilized to analyze microbial communities.
Main Results:
- High-grade thyroid nodules correlated with fewer gut microbial species and gene families.
- Alterations in gut microbial composition included increased amino acid degradation and reduced butyrate production.
- Reduced abundance of butyrate-producing microbes and altered L-histidine metabolism pathways were observed in patients with high-grade nodules.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a gut-thyroid link in the context of thyroid nodules.
- Specific gut microbes may serve as therapeutic targets for modulating thyroid function and metabolism.
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