Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
07:32
Murine Fecal Isolation and Microbiota Transplantation
Published on: May 26, 2023
Intestinal transit time phenotype is not transferred through gut microbiota transplantation
Anna Pii Hjørne1,2, Chiara H Moretti3, Thomas U Greiner3
1National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
Peerj
|May 13, 2026
Summary
The gut microbiota may not significantly influence intestinal transit time (TT) variation between individuals. Studies show the presence of gut bacteria reduces TT, but differences in microbiota composition did not alter TT in mice.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Intestinal transit time (TT) exhibits significant inter-individual variability.
- Gut microbiota composition and activity are influenced by TT, but the reverse causality is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota composition and intestinal transit time (TT).
- To determine if differences in gut microbiota drive variations in TT.
Main Methods:
- Two animal experiments were conducted using germ-free mice.
- Experiment 1: Mice received fecal microbiota from human donors with distinct TT phenotypes.
- Experiment 2: Mice received cecal microbiota from conventional mice treated with loperamide or saline.
Main Results:
- In both experiments, the presence of gut microbiota reduced TT in germ-free mice.
- No significant differences in TT were observed between recipient groups with different microbiota origins.
- This suggests that microbiota transplantation may not have effectively engrafted or that microbiota composition is not the primary factor in TT variation.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota's presence reduces TT, but inter-individual variations in TT may not be driven by microbiota composition.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the factors contributing to TT variability.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:27Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
01:02Noncompartmental Analysis: Mean Transit, Absorption and Dissolution Time
When drugs are administered extravascularly, a comprehensive evaluation through noncompartmental analysis becomes imperative. This analytical approach considers various parameters that play a crucial role in understanding the pharmacokinetics of these drugs.
One of the key parameters is the mean transit time (MTT), which refers to the total duration required for drug molecules to transit through the body. MTT is determined by calculating the ratio of the area under the moment curve to the area...
One of the key parameters is the mean transit time (MTT), which refers to the total duration required for drug molecules to transit through the body. MTT is determined by calculating the ratio of the area under the moment curve to the area...