Microbiota of the GIT Flashcards
Describe transit time in relation to section of GIT
Transit time gets longer from mouth to large intestine
In large intestine for 10hrs to several days
Stomach 2-4hrs and small intestine 3-5hrs
How does transit time affect the microbiota?
Bacterial population effected due to different bacterial growth rates
Also intestinal cell exposure to toxins
Describe the bacterial populations along the GIT
Increasing anaerobic conditions
Increasing bacteria density
Increasing dominance of obligate anaerobes
What is the total number of bacteria in the human gut?
Up to 100 trillion
Everyone’s microbia is different - unique
Why is there a dominant bacteria change along the GIT?
Different oxygen conc., different pH and different transit times
What are the pH changes of the GIT?
Mouth - 6.5-7.5
Stomach - 1.5-4
Duodenum - 7-8.5
Ileum - 4-7
Large Colon - 5.5-6.5
Why does microbial composition change throughout life?
Anatomy is the same but food is different
Our food is microbiota’s food
What is the role of the GIT microbiota?
Metabolism of dietary components
Production of metabolites
Modification to host secretions
Defence against pathogens
Development of immune system
Host signalling
What does healthy gut microbiota equal?
Healthy person
Is junk food good for microbes?
Junk food provides a lot of calories but does not feed gut microbes as does not reach large colon
Most absorbed in small intestine/stomach - 70% energy uptake
What food does GIT microbes grow on?
Fibre - fruit, veg, pulses and whole grains
Converts to different products
Energy absorbed in large intestine
What are the benefits of including dietary fibre in our diet?
Improves faecal bulking, eases passage and results in shorter transit time
Contains phytochemicals, antioxidants and vitamins
Bacterial fermentation
What does bacterial fermentation do?
Releases additional phytochemicals
Maintains slightly acidic pH
Increased commensal bacterial population
Essential supply of short chain fatty acids
What is the right side of the colon responsible for?
Site of most bacterial fermentation
Carbohydrate metabolism
Gives SCFA and gases
What does a diverse balanced diet do microbes?
A diverse balanced microbiota and diverse balanced products
What we eat affects amount and type of microbial metabolites produced
What does SCFA give?
Acetate, propionate and butyrate
What is the left side of the colon responsible for?
Site of most intestinal disease
Protein metabolism
Major products
Branched SCFA, gases, phenols, indoles and amines
What are the 3 main short chain fatty acids?
Butyrate, propionate and acetate
What is the function of butryrate?
Epithelial cell growth and regeneration
What is the function of propionate?
Gluconeogenesis in the liver
Satiety signalling
What is the function of acetate?
Transported in blood and to peripheral tissues
Lipogenesis
What does pH lowering help?
Pathogen inhibition
Increased Ca absorption
What is the optimum pH for growth of pathogens?
Over 6