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Published on: July 31, 2019
Effect of beta-glucan supplementation on cystic fibrosis colonic microbiota: an in vitro study
Andrea Asensio-Grau1,2, Ana Heredia3,4, Jorge García-Hernández4,5
1Instituto de Ingeniería de Alimentos para el Desarrollo. Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain. anasgr@upv.es.
Insights
Beta-glucan supplementation positively impacted the gut microbiota in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). This prebiotic improved microbial diversity and increased beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia in an in vitro model.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit gut dysbiosis, complicating prebiotic recommendations.
- Existing research lacks robust guidance on prebiotic interventions for CF-related gut microbiome alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prebiotic potential of a commercial beta-glucan.
- To compare its effects on the in vitro colonic microbiota of a child with CF versus a healthy child.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a dynamic simulator of colonic fermentation (twin-SHIME® model) simulating proximal and distal colon environments.
- Inoculated bioreactors with fecal microbiota from CF and healthy subjects, supplemented with beta-glucan for two weeks.
- Analyzed microbiota composition via 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production via GC-MS at baseline, during, and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Baseline microbiota differed between CF and healthy subjects, with higher Faecalibacterium in CF distal colon.
- Beta-glucan supplementation increased microbial richness and diversity in both subjects.
- In CF subjects, Pseudomonas and Veillonella decreased, while Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium significantly increased.
Conclusions:
- Beta-glucan supplementation demonstrated positive effects on the colonic microbiota of a child with CF in an in vitro setting.
- These findings support further in vivo research on beta-glucan as a prebiotic intervention for CF.
- The study provides new evidence supporting the assessment of prebiotics in future clinical trials for cystic fibrosis.
Background:
Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) present with gut dysbiosis, and current evidence impedes robust recommendations on the use of prebiotics. This study aimed at establishing the prebiotic potential of a commercial beta-glucan on the in vitro colonic microbiota of a child with CF compared to a healthy counterpart (H).
Methods:
A dynamic simulator of colonic fermentation (twin-SHIME® model) was set up including the simulation of the proximal (PC) and distal colon (DC) of the CF and the H subjects by colonizing the bioreactors with faecal microbiota. During two weeks the system was supplied with the beta-glucan. At baseline, during treatment and post-treatment, microbiota composition was profiled by 16 S rRNA and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production was determined by GS-MS.
Results:
At baseline, Faecalibacterium, was higher in CF' DC than in the H, along higher Acidaminococcus and less Megasphaera and Sutterella. Beta-glucan supplementation induced increased microbiota richness and diversity in both subjects during the treatment. At genus level, Pseudomonas and Veillonella decreased, while Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium increased significantly in CF.
Conclusion:
The supplementation with beta-glucan suggests positive results on CF colonic microbiota in the in vitro context, encouraging further research in the in vivo setting.
Impact:
Current evidence supports assessing the effect of prebiotics on modifying cystic fibrosis microbiota. The effect of beta-glucan supplementation was evaluated in a controlled dynamic in vitro colonic ecosystem. Beta-glucan supplement improved diversity in cystic fibrosis colonic microbiota. The treatment showed increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia in cystic fibrosis. New evidence supports the use of prebiotics in future clinical studies.
