Diet, Gut Microbiome, and Their End Metabolites Associate With Acute Pancreatitis Risk

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Microbiome Research
• Nutritional Science
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Decreased gut microbiome diversity is linked to acute pancreatitis (AP) risk.
• Dietary patterns and their influence on gut microbial metabolites in AP remain understudied.
• Investigating the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and metabolites is crucial for understanding AP pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare dietary intake between AP patients and controls.
• To assess differences in gut microbiome diversity and sulfidogenic bacteria abundance.
• To measure serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) levels in AP and control subjects.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 54 AP patients and 46 controls.
• Collection of clinical, dietary, stool, and blood samples.
• 16S rDNA sequencing for microbiome analysis, and measurement of serum SCFAs and H 2 S.
• Application of a machine learning model to identify AP-associated microbial targets.

Main Results:

• AP patients exhibited lower intake of vitamin D3, whole grains, fish, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Significantly reduced gut microbiome diversity (P=0.021) and increased abundance of sulfidogenic bacteria (Veillonella, Haemophilus) were observed in AP patients.
• Elevated serum acetate (P<0.001) and H 2 S (P=0.043) levels were found in the AP group.
• A machine learning model achieved 96% accuracy in distinguishing AP patients from controls.

Conclusions:

• AP patients demonstrate compromised nutrient intake and diminished gut microbiome diversity.
• An increased abundance of H 2 S-producing bacteria in AP, alongside higher serum H 2 S levels, suggests a role in disease development.
• The study underscores the critical involvement of diet, gut microbiota, and their metabolites in acute pancreatitis.