Repopulation of the gut microbiota after a screening colonoscopy

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in health and disease.
• Colonoscopy preparation and the procedure itself can alter the gut microbiome.
• The relationship between dietary intake and microbiome recovery post-colonoscopy is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the early repopulation patterns of the gut microbiome after colonoscopy.
• To correlate these repopulation patterns with concurrent free-living dietary intakes.
• To understand the impact of dietary changes on microbiome recovery post-bowel preparation.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 15 healthy adults undergoing screening colonoscopy.
• Collected 3-day food records at baseline and post-colonoscopy (Days 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 13).
• Obtained fecal samples pre-colonoscopy and post-colonoscopy (Days 3, 5, 8, 11, 14) for 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

Main Results:

• Subjects increased total daily energy intake within 5 days post-colonoscopy.
• Fiber intake decreased on the day of colonoscopy but returned to baseline levels thereafter.
• Significant changes in gut microbiome beta diversity and depletion of certain taxa (e.g., Bacillota) were observed acutely post-colonoscopy, with recovery by Day 5.

Conclusions:

• Colonoscopy significantly alters gut microbiome composition and diversity.
• Microbiome repopulation timing is closely linked to dietary intake changes post-procedure.
• Adequate nutrition, particularly fiber intake, is crucial for reestablishing a healthy gut microbiome after colonoscopy.