Browsing by Subject "gut microbiome"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Engaging Adolescent and Young Adults in Microbiome Sample Self-Collection: Strategies for Success
    (SAGE Journals, 2020) Chen, Chen X.; Carpenter, Janet S.; Murphy, Tabitha; Brooks, Patricia; Fortenberry, J. Dennis
    Human microbiome research provides rich opportunities to elucidate factors influencing health, uncover novel biomarkers, and expand disease treatment options. A well-conducted microbiome study depends not only on a rigorous design but also on successfully engaging participants in collecting quality samples. In this paper, we aim to describe (1) strategies our team used to engage adolescents and young adults in vaginal and gut microbiome sample self-collection and (2) their effectiveness. In our prospective, longitudinal, feasibility study of 20 female adolescents and young adults, research participants self-collected vaginal and gut microbiome samples at home. Using a participatory and iterative process, we developed strategies to engage participants in sample self-collection, including (1) providing clear instructions to ensure comprehension and buy-in, (2) providing a user-friendly take-home package, (3) minimizing disgust/embarrassment associated with sample collection, and (4) follow-up communications to facilitate sample collections and return. With these strategies, we achieved 100% participant retention and 100% sample return rates. All samples (n = 80, 100%) were usable for downstream 16s rRNA gene sequencing and analysis. All participants rated the study procedures as acceptable, and qualitative data showed that strategies were well received by participants. This study suggests that carefully planning and implementing strategies to engage participants in sample self-collection can result in high degrees of participant compliance, sample quality, and participant satisfaction in microbiome research.
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    Unintended Consequences of Antibiotic Therapy on the Microbiome Delivers a Gut Punch in Ovarian Cancer
    (Cancer Research, 2022-12-22) Hawkins, Shannon M.; Nephew, Kenneth P.; Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine
    While the early use of antibiotics during chemotherapy may be lifesaving, antibiotic therapy is associated with worse outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer during platinum chemotherapy. The study by Chambers and colleagues in this issue of Cancer Research provides mechanistic insights into how disrupting the gut microbiome with broad-spectrum antibiotics negatively influences the survival of patients with ovarian cancer and highlights the impact of the gut microbiome on tumor progression and response to therapy. Treatment of ovarian cancer models with a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail (ABX, vancomycin, neomycin sulfate, metronidazole, ampicillin) changed the gut microbiome and increased tumor growth and development of cisplatin resistance. Stem cells, reported to drive resistance to chemotherapy and disease recurrence in ovarian cancer, were enriched as a surprising consequence of ABX-induced microbiome disruption. Immune-competent and immune-deficient mice revealed that ABX treatment enhanced the cisplatin-induced stemness and provided evidence for immune surveillance of ovarian cancer stem cells through the gut microbiome. Two gut-derived metabolites, indole-3-propionic acid and indoxyl sulfate, suppressed by ABX treatment and reestablished with cecal microbial transplantation colonization of ABX-treated mice, were identified as potential effectors connecting the gut microbiome to ovarian cancer growth. This clinically relevant study opens new therapeutic opportunities for patients—one aimed at interventions to increase platinum sensitivity and another aimed at preventing the potential adverse effects of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. Both represent paradigm changes to standard care.
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    Vitamin D, Gut Microbiota, and Cardiometabolic Diseases—A Possible Three-Way Axis
    (MDPI, 2023-01) Sukik, Ayah; Alalwani, Joud; Ganji, Vijay; Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health and Human Sciences
    Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a precursor for several cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency links to cardiometabolic diseases through microbiota. A combination of poor vitamin D status and dysbiosis may contribute to the progression of cardiometabolic diseases. Therefore, in this review, we present the relationship among vitamin D, microbiota, and cardiometabolic diseases with a focus on MetSyn. We searched major databases for reports on vitamin D, microbiota, and MetSyn until June 2022. We reviewed 13 reports on the relation between vitamin D and MetSyn (6 randomized controlled and 7 cross-sectional studies) and 6 reports on the effect of vitamin D on the gut microbiome. Adequate vitamin D status has a beneficial effect on gut microbiota, therefore preventing the progression of MetSyn. Further, well-controlled studies are needed for a better understanding of the mechanisms of action involving vitamin D and microbiota in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases.