Correlation between Gut Microbiota, its Metabolic Products, and their Association with Liver Enzymes among Sample of Egyptian Females

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota plays critical role in pathogenesis of obesity, liver metabolism and associated diseases. AIM: The present study aimed to identify existing gut microbiota enterotypes and their metabolic products profiles, and investigate correlation between gut microbiota; body mass index (BMI); and liver enzymes among sample of normal weight and obese Egyptian females. METHODS: A case-control cross-sectional study included 112 Egyptian females; 82 obese and 30 normal weights; aged 25–60 years. For each participant, anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and BMI), laboratory investigations (Aspartate amino transferase [AST], Alanine amino transferase [ALT], Short-chain fatty acids [SCFA], and C-reactive protein [CRP]) and microbiota analysis were done. RESULTS: Obese females had higher significant values of CRP, AST, ALT, SCFA, log Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and Lactobacillus. Among normal weight group, Lactobacillus had significant positive correlations with SCFA, Bifidobacteria, and Firmicutes, and significant negative correlations with AST, ALT, and CRP. While Bifidobacteria had significant negative correlations with height and ALT, Bacteroidetes bacteria had significant positive correlations with SCFA, and significant negative correlations with age and height, Firmicutes bacteria had significant negative correlations with AST and ALT, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio had significant negative correlations with AST, ALT, and SCFA. Among obese group, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria had significant negative correlations with Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and Firmicutes bacteria had significant negative correlations with ALT. CONCLUSION: The beneficial Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have their good impact on improving obesity status and liver functions.