Gut Microbiome Flashcards
What is the microbiome
Sum total of human and microbial genes
- 70% of lymphocytes found in MALT
- gut is the largest interface with the external world
What positive and negative factors affect the gut microbiota
-what are the consequences
+ve
-fibre and probiotics
- ve
- PPIs, ABx
- satfats, fructose, high protein consumption
- altered pH
Changes in
- SCFA
- Antioxidants
- lipid metabolism
- gut inflammation and diarrhoea
- insulin sensitivity
- CVD risk
- indoxil sulphate (cardiac and uremic toxic)
- LPS
- TMAO
Which vitamins are produced by the gut biome
Vitamin K Vitamin B12 Biotin Folate Thiamine Riboflavin Pyridoxine
How does the microbiome affect ageing
Less diverse gut microbiome => more frail
Microbiome composition changes with the accumulation of health deficits
Corruption of core microbiota associated with frailty
-association not linked to diet, age, medications
There is an association with the microbiome and the increased prevalence of certain diseases
How do ABx affect the pathophysiology of CDiff infections
-how would you manage this
Normal gut flora altered by broad spec ABx (clindamycin, cephalosporins, ampicillin, amoxicilin)
Endospores survive acidic conditions of stomach and reach colon => flourishes in colon, causes mucosal damage
Fever, crampy abdo pain, diarrhoea => colitis
Targeted ABx
Fecal microbial transplant
How do PPIs alter the microbiome
Increase in a no of specific taxa (lactobacilli streptococcaceae)
-due to colonisation of lower GI by pharyngeal commensals
Leads to increased risk of infection
How would you make positive changes to your microbiome
-what are the potential benefits of microbiome modulation
Prebiotics - Whole Foods that induce the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria
Probiotics - helpful bacteria
Synbiotics - prebiotics and probiotics
Modifications to the microbiome may improve protein anabolic resistance
