Gut microbiota shift in Ghanaian individuals along the migration axis: the RODAM-Pros cohort

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Environmental health
• Cardiometabolic disease

Background:

• Migration involves significant shifts in environmental exposures and health outcomes.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the changes in gut microbiota composition during migration.
• To explore the associations between gut microbiota shifts and cardiometabolic outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze gut microbiota in 1,177 Ghanaian participants across rural Ghana, urban Ghana, and Amsterdam.
• XGBoost machine learning models identified distinct microbial profiles between locations.

Main Results:

• A clear gradient in gut microbiota composition and diversity was observed along the rural-to-urban-to-Amsterdam migration axis.
• Specific microbial groups were associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, including elevated body mass index, HbA1c, and diastolic blood pressure.
• Dietary intake partially explained microbial differences between locations.

Conclusions:

• A shift in gut microbiota composition is associated with cardiometabolic risk along the migration axis.
• Gut health is a critical factor in migration-associated adverse health outcomes.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate health risks in migrant populations.