Identification of Gut Microbes That Prevents Metabolic Syndrome in Healthy Japanese Adults

Gut microbiota is an important driver of metabolic status. Recent studies have demonstrated that dysbiosis precedes the development of metabolic disorders. However, the bacterial species associated with metabolic syndrome and their physiological role in obesity and glucose metabolism have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing analysis on fecal samples from 49 metabolically healthy volunteers, a detailed lifestyle questionnaire survey including diet, and an analysis on metabolic parameters. We also examined the metabolic effects of some microbes by transplantation into HFD-fed mice. The average age, BMI and HbA1c were 43.5±9.0, 23.9±3.9 and 5.5±0.3, respectively. A clear correlation was observed between lifestyle and metabolic parameters. Analysis of fecal microbial structure divided the participants into three enterotypes according to their predominant phylogenic pattern; 1) Prevotella copri group, 2) Bacteroides group, and 3) others. Enterotype 1 had higher random blood glucose (BG), and lower HDL-C, while enterotype 2 had lower random BG, BMI, and waist circumference. Eleven bacterial species were identified as being positively or negatively correlated with metabolic parameters. Relative abundances of the Family Fusobacteriaceae and Prevotella stercorea were positively correlated with BMI, fasting BG, and visceral fat mass. In contrast, the Family Rikenellaceae and Bacteroides uniformis (Bu) negatively correlated with metabolic parameters. Transplantation of Alistipes indistinctus (Ali), a major bacterium of the Family Rikenellaceae, or Bu into HFD-fed C57BL/6J mice suppressed body weight gain, improved glucose tolerance and histological findings without altering food intake. In summary, our results suggest that microbial community structure can be altered by lifestyle even in good health. Moreover, maintaining microbial species such as Ali and Bu may contribute to the prevention of metabolic disorders in Japanese adults. Disclosure H. Honoki: None. S. Fujisaka: None. Y. Watanabe: None. M. Oku: None. Y. Kondo: None. A. Nishimura: None. T. Kado: None. M. Bilal: None. A. Enkaku: None. A. Takikawa: None. D. Chujo: None. Y. Morinaga: None. K. Tobe: Other Relationship; MSD K.K., Novo Nordisk Pharma Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Suntory Global Corporation, Ltd.,, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Japan Diabetes Foundation, Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care. Funding Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (20K10318); Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care