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. 2020 Dec 11;6(1):72.
doi: 10.1186/s40795-020-00398-9.

Increasing levels of Parasutterella in the gut microbiome correlate with improving low-density lipoprotein levels in healthy adults consuming resistant potato starch during a randomised trial

Jason R Bush  1   2 , Michelle J Alfa  3
Affiliations

Increasing levels of Parasutterella in the gut microbiome correlate with improving low-density lipoprotein levels in healthy adults consuming resistant potato starch during a randomised trial

Jason R Bush et al. BMC Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Prebiotics, defined as a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit, present a potential option to optimize gut microbiome health. Elucidating the relationship between specific intestinal bacteria, prebiotic intake, and the health of the host remains a primary microbiome research goal.

Objective: To assess the correlations between gut microbiota, serum health parameters, and prebiotic consumption in healthy adults.

Methods: We performed ad hoc exploratory analysis of changes in abundance of genera in the gut microbiome of 75 participants from a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of resistant potato starch (RPS; MSPrebiotic®, N = 38) intervention versus a fully digestible placebo (N = 37) for which primary and secondary outcomes have previously been published. Pearson correlation analysis was used to identify relationships between health parameters (ie. blood glucose and lipids) and populations of gut bacteria.

Results: Abundance of Parasutterella (phylum Proteobacteria) tended to increase in the gut microbiome of individuals consuming RPS and those increases in Parasutterella were correlated with reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in participants consuming RPS but not placebo. Segregating RPS-consuming individuals whose LDL levels decreased (ie "Responders") from those who did not (ie. "Non-Responders") revealed that LDL Responders had significantly higher levels of Parasutterella both at baseline and after 12 weeks of consuming RPS.

Conclusion: Our analyses suggest that RPS may help improve LDL levels depending upon the levels of Parasutterella in an individual's gut microbiome.

Trial registration: This study protocol was reviewed and approved by Health Canada (Submission #188517; "Notice of Authorization" dated 06/05/13) and registered as NCT01977183 (10/11/13) listed on NIH website: ClinicalTrials.gov. Data generated in this study have been submitted to NCBI ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/381931 ).

Funding: MSP Starch Products Inc.

Keywords: Cholesterol; LDL; Parasutterella; Potato; Proteobacteria; Resistant starch.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Jason Bush is employed by and Michelle Alfa provides consulting services for MSP Starch Products Inc., Carberry, MB, Canada, who manufacture MSPrebiotic® resistant potato starch.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
CONSORT Flow Diagram. Number of participants analyzed; RPS n = 38, placebo n = 37, unless otherwise specified
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean change (+/− SEM) in relative abundance for each genus discretely identified in individuals consuming RPS for 12 weeks. Parasutterella, indicated by the black arrow, was the only genus in phylum Proteobacteria to increase in response to RPS
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean change (+/− SEM) in relative abundance for each genus discretely identified in individuals consuming placebo for 12 weeks
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
a RPS consumption tended to increase mean levels of Parasutterella by two-fold (p = 0.0711) while Parasutterella levels were unchanged in those consuming placebo (+/− SEM, p = 0.291). b Segregation of the RPS group into those who displayed a decrease in LDL levels (Responders) and those whose levels increased or remained the same (Non-Responders) revealed that mean Parasutterella levels were significantly higher in Responders at both baseline and week 14 (+/− SEM). *; p < 0.05
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
a Baseline LDL levels were significantly different between Responders and Non-Responders in the Placebo group (p = 0.00245) but indistinguishable at Week 14 (+/− SD; p = 0.91978). b Baseline LDL levels were indistinguishable between Responders and Non-Responders in the RPS group (p = 0.85119) but were significant different at Week 14 (+/− SD; p = 0.00814). *; p < 0.05
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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