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Fruit consumption is associated with alterations in microbial composition and lower rates of pouchitis

Lady Organic

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''Fruit consumption is associated with alterations in microbial composition and lower rates of pouchitis''

https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/a...co-jcc/jjz053/5368949?redirectedFrom=fulltext


Abstract
Background

Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) that undergo proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis commonly develop pouch inflammation (pouchitis). Pouchitis develops in a previously normal small intestine and may involve environmental factors. We explored whether diet and microbiota alterations contributed to the pathogenesis of pouchitis.

Methods

Patients were recruited and prospectively followed at a comprehensive pouch clinic. Pouch behavior was clinically defined as a normal pouch (NP) or pouchitis. Patients completed Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQs). Fecal samples were analyzed for microbial composition (16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing).

Results

Nutritional evaluation was performed in 172 patients (59% females), of which, fecal microbial analysis was performed in 75 patients (microbiota cohort: NP [n=22], pouchitis [n=53]). Of the entire cohort, a subgroup of 39 (22.6%) patients had NP at recruitment (NP cohort). Of these, 5 (12.8%) developed pouchitis within a year. Patients at the lowest tertile of fruit consumption (<1.45 servings/day) had higher rates of pouchitis compared to those with higher consumption (30.8% vs. 3.8%, log rank, p=0.03). Fruit consumption correlated with microbial diversity (r=0.35, p=0.002) and with the abundance of several microbial genera, including Faecalibacterium (r=0.29, p=0.01), Lachnospira (r=0.38, p=0.001) and a previously uncharacterized genus from the Ruminococcaceae family (r=0.25, p=0.05). Reduction in fruit consumption overtime was associated with disease recurrence and with reduced microbial diversity (Δ=0.80.3, p=0.008).

Conclusions

Fruit consumption is associated with modification of microbial composition, and lower consumption correlates with the development of pouchitis. Thus, fruit consumption may protect against intestinal inflammation via alteration of microbial composition.
 
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