Gut microbiota and metabolic characteristics in subthreshold depression based on multi-omics

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Metabolomics
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Subthreshold depression (SD) is a precursor to major depressive disorder (MDD).
• The biological basis of SD is not well understood.
• Gut microbiota and host metabolism may play a role in early depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gut microbiome and metabolic alterations in SD patients.
• To explore associations between gut microbiota and metabolites in SD.

Main Methods:

• 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics on stool and plasma.
• Bioinformatics, KEGG annotation, and Spearman correlation analysis.

Main Results:

• SD patients showed reduced microbial diversity and altered gut bacteria (e.g., decreased Eubacterium hallii, increased Escherichia-Shigella).
• Metabolomics revealed perturbations in lipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and amino acid pathways.
• Beneficial bacteria correlated with specific lipid and steroid metabolites.

Conclusions:

• SD is associated with early gut dysbiosis and metabolic disruptions, especially in lipid pathways.
• Gut microbiota alterations may reflect metabolic dysregulation and vulnerability in SD.
• The gut microbiota could be a target for early SD detection and intervention.