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Spatioregional assessment of the gut microbiota in experimental necrotizing pancreatitis
F F van den Berg1,2, F Hugenholtz3, M A Boermeester1
1Department of Surgery, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Background:
Infectious complications following experimental pancreatitis involve major disruptions in the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to characterize this disruption by examining the spatioregional distribution in microbial community structure and function following experimental pancreatitis associated with pancreatic infection.
Methods:
Mice were subjected to infusion of the pancreatic duct with either taurocholate to induce necrotizing pancreatitis or normal saline (control group). The spatial (lumen versus mucosa) and regional composition and function of the microbiota from the duodenum, ileum, caecum, colon, pancreas and blood were evaluated using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.
Results:
Mice that developed necrotizing pancreatitis demonstrated a decrease in microbial richness and significantly altered microbiota in distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract, compared with controls. Among the most differentially increased taxa were the mucus-degrading Akkermansia muciniphila, and there was a decrease of butyrate-producing bacteria following pancreatitis. Application of the SourceTracker tool to the generated metadata indicated that the duodenum was the most probable source of bacteria that subsequently infected pancreatic tissue in this model. The functional prediction annotation using pathway analyses indicated a diminished capacity of the caecal microbiota to metabolize carbohydrate, and fatty and amino acids.
Discussion:
The distal gut microbiota was significantly impacted in this model of experimental necrotizing pancreatitis. Data suggest that the duodenal microbiota might also play a role in bacterial translation and secondary infections.
Insights
Experimental pancreatitis severely disrupts the gut microbiota, particularly in the distal regions. The duodenum may be a source of secondary pancreatic infections, impacting microbial function.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infectious complications of experimental pancreatitis cause significant gut microbiota alterations.
- Understanding the spatioregional distribution of microbial changes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize gut microbiota disruption in experimental pancreatitis.
- To examine microbial community structure and function following pancreatitis with infection.
Main Methods:
- Necrotizing pancreatitis induced in mice via taurocholate infusion.
- Microbiota analyzed from various gastrointestinal sites and blood using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Spatial (lumen vs. mucosa) and regional analyses performed.
Main Results:
- Pancreatitis reduced microbial richness and altered distal gut microbiota composition.
- Increased mucus-degrading Akkermansia muciniphila and decreased butyrate-producing bacteria observed.
- Duodenum identified as a potential source of pancreatic infection; caecal microbiota showed impaired metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Experimental necrotizing pancreatitis significantly impacts the distal gut microbiota.
- Duodenal microbiota may contribute to bacterial translocation and secondary infections in pancreatitis.
