Washed microbiota transplantation is associated with short-term changes in selected spirometric parameters in...

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Pulmonary medicine
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The gut-lung axis suggests a link between gut microbiota and pulmonary health.
• Pulmonary inflammation may be modulated by gut microbial communities.
• Investigating interventions like washed microbiota transplantation (WMT) is crucial for understanding this axis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between WMT and short-term changes in pulmonary function.
• To evaluate the impact of WMT on inflammatory markers and gut microbiota.
• To explore these effects in patients with abnormal spirometric patterns.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 110 patients undergoing WMT (fecal microbiota transplantation) was conducted.
• 47 patients with pre- and post-WMT spirometry data were analyzed.
• Groups included abnormal spirometry (DG), normal spirometry (HC), and a non-WMT control (CON).
• Pulmonary function, inflammatory markers, SF-36 scores, and gut microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing) were monitored.

Main Results:

• WMT recipients with abnormal spirometry showed increased forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
• FVC changes were significantly greater in WMT recipients compared to controls.
• Exploratory analysis revealed differences in gut microbial taxa (e.g., Firmicutes, Faecalibacterium) and predicted functions.

Conclusions:

• WMT is associated with short-term improvements in spirometric parameters like FVC and FEV1 in patients with abnormal patterns.
• The study provides hypothesis-generating findings on gut microbiota modulation of lung function.
• Further randomized, disease-specific studies are needed for validation.