Aberrant bowel movement frequencies coincide with increased microbe-derived blood metabolites associated with reduced organ function.
Publication Title
Cell Rep Med
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-16-2024
Keywords
washington; isb
Abstract
Bowel movement frequency (BMF) directly impacts the gut microbiota and is linked to diseases like chronic kidney disease or dementia. In particular, prior work has shown that constipation is associated with an ecosystem-wide switch from fiber fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production to more detrimental protein fermentation and toxin production. Here, we analyze multi-omic data from generally healthy adults to see how BMF affects their molecular phenotypes, in a pre-disease context. Results show differential abundances of gut microbial genera, blood metabolites, and variation in lifestyle factors across BMF categories. These differences relate to inflammation, heart health, liver function, and kidney function. Causal mediation analysis indicates that the association between lower BMF and reduced kidney function is partially mediated by the microbially derived toxin 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS). This result, in a generally healthy context, suggests that the accumulation of microbiota-derived toxins associated with abnormal BMF precede organ damage and may be drivers of chronic, aging-related diseases.
Clinical Institute
Digestive Health
Clinical Institute
Mental Health
Clinical Institute
Kidney & Diabetes
Specialty/Research Institute
Behavioral Health
Specialty/Research Institute
Gastroenterology
Specialty/Research Institute
Institute for Systems Biology
DOI
10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101646
