Metagenomics Analysis Reveals Unique Gut Microbiota Signature of Slow-Transit Constipation

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Altered gut microbiota may play a role in slow-transit constipation (STC). We conducted a study of gut microbiota composition and functionality in STC using metagenomic analyses. METHODS: We assembled a clinical cohort of 24 patients with STC physiology age- and sex-matched to 24 controls. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing followed by prediction of metabolite composition from functional profiles. RESULTS: In a middle-aged (mean 55.3 years), predominantly female cohort, there were no significant differences in a-diversity indices, but permutational multivariate analysis of variance analysis showed significant between-group differences (R2 = 0.050, P < 0.001) between STC patients and controls. Gordonibacter pamelaeae, Bifidobacterium longum, Firmicutes bacterium co-abundance gene group 94, and Anaerotruncus colihominis were more abundant in STC, whereas Coprococcus comes and Roseburia intestinalis were more abundant in controls. Gut-derived metabolites varying in STC relative to controls were related to bile acid and cholesterol metabolism. DISCUSSION: We found a unique metagenomic and metabolomic signature of STC.