Identifying_gut_microbial_metabolites_and_the_bacteria_responsible_for_their_formation. Identifying_gut_microbial_metabolites_and_the_bacteria_responsible_for_their_formation

The gut microbiota plays a vital role in inflammation and in the development of many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Links between host diet and the gut microbiota are known to influence disease risk. However, relatively little is known about the functionality and role of even the most dominant commensal organisms within the human host. Many of the products of microbial metabolism of dietary compounds remain uncharacterised and consequently, their mechanisms of action unknown. There is a large amount of literature suggesting that plant phytochemicals have anti-cancer properties. Data regarding the metabolism and bioavailability of phytochemicals is lacking, particularly with reference to their release and transformation by the activities of the gut microbiota, and absorption from the colon. Additionally, the relationship between the main macronutrients (carbohydrate and protein) and non-nutrient phytochemicals is poorly understood. It is likely that it is a combination of these dietary factors that modulates both the gut bacteria and the overall metabolite profile, both in the gut and in the systemic circulation. This human dietary intervention study addresses the combined effects of the macro- and non-nutrient components of the diet, along with the gut microbial composition on the production of microbial metabolites. Our hypothesis is that phytochemicals bound to plant polymers reach the colon largely intact and are metabolised and released by the gut microbiota where they can exert a direct anti-inflammatory action on the gut mucosa. This will suppress low-level chronic systemic inflammation, which is a hallmark of aging and certain diseased states including obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Furthermore, the source and type of polymer may improve or exacerbate the effect by modulating the gut bacteria and/or provision of beneficial or detrimental by-products This data is part of a pre-publication release. For information on the proper use of pre-publication data shared by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (including details of any publication moratoria), please see http://www.sanger.ac.uk/datasharing/