Association between Dietary Habits and Fecal Microbiota Composition in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Intestinal dysbiosis seems to play a role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The present pilot study aimed to elucidate the association between nutrient intake and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence with IBS symptoms and gut microbiota in IBS patients. The nutrient intake of 28 IBS patients and 21 controls was assessed through a food diary, the reference intake ranges (RIs) for energy-yielding macronutrients and the MD serving score (MDSS) index. MD adherence and nutrients intake were compared to IBS symptoms and fecal microbiota, obtained by 16S rRNA targeted-metagenomics. In IBS patients MDSS index was altered compared to controls (p < 0.01). IBS patients with low-MD score reported severe abdominal pain and higher flatulence point-scales. Through Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), Erysipelotrichaceae were detected as a microbial biomarker in IBS patients with altered RIs for macronutrients intake, compared to controls. Lactobacillaceae and Lactobacillus were associated to an altered carbohydrates intake in IBS patients, while specific taxonomic biomarkers, such as Aldercreuzia, Mogibacteriaceae, Rikenellaceae, Parabacteroides and F. prausnitzii were associated with an adequate intake of nutrient in these patients. This study supports an association between dietary patterns and gut microbial biomarkers in IBS patients. Further investigations are needed to clarify these connections.

Keywords: Mediterranean diet; dietary habits; irritable bowel syndrome; microbiota; nutrient intake.

Figure 1

LEfSe analysis of taxonomic biomarkers of gut microbiota in IBS patients and in control subjects. (A) IBS samples grouped by carbohydrate intake; (B) IBS samples grouped by fat intake; (C) IBS samples grouped by protein intake; (D) control samples grouped by carbohydrate intake; (E) control samples grouped by fat intake; (F) control samples grouped by protein intake.

Figure 2

LEfSe analysis of taxonomic biomarkers of gut microbiota of IBS vs. control for carbohydrate, fat, protein and all macronutrients intake. (A) Comparison between IBS vs. control samples grouped by carbohydrate intake (LARN group); (B) comparison between IBS vs. control samples grouped by lipid intake (LARN group); (C) comparison between IBS vs. control samples grouped by protein intake (LARN group); (D) comparison between IBS vs. control samples grouped by all macronutrients intake (MNs group); (E) comparison between IBS vs. control samples grouped by macronutrient intake (non-MNs group); (F) comparison between IBS non-MNs group vs. control MNs group.