Research project
36 | monthsGUITARIST

Gut microbiota as target in contrast to malnutrition

Related toSpoke 06

Principal investigators
Carlotta De Filippo ,Bianca Castiglioni

Other partecipantsDario Troise
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Highlights

Project partners

Other partners

IBBA, ISPAAM

Task involved

Task 6.3.1.

Assessing microbiome–host interaction in malnutrition (in connection with Spoke 4 and 5). a) Evaluation of gut microbiome features in paediatric and ageing subjects affected by malnutrition and malnutrition-related conditions, with a focus on immune and metabolic pathways; b) Investigation of gut microbiome cell wall constituents on immune and metabolic pathways involved in human malnutrition; c) Investigation of the diet, environmental factors and drugs influencing human gut microbiome structure and function; d) Design of an algorithm to predict the risk of gut dysbiosis associated with malnutrition and malnutrition-related diseases.

Task 6.3.2.

Investigation of the preventive and therapeutic action of sustainable personalised nutrition and microbial-derived products on malnutrition-associated gut microbiome alteration and effect on specific targets with malnutrition.

Project deliverables

D6.3.1.1.

Revision of the literature on microbiome and diet (M4)

D6.3.1.2.

Identification of gut microbiome-derived biomarkers facilitating the prediction as well as the early diagnosis and the management of human malnutrition. (M24)

D6.3.1.3.

Definition of the modifiable factors facilitating malnutrition-related gut microbiome alteration (M16)

D6.3.1.4.

Definition of a set of gut microbiome-derived molecules able to tackle gut dysbiosis, modulate immune response and metabolic pathways in specific targets with malnutrition. (M24)

D6.3.1.5.

New algorithm supporting prediction of gut dysbiosis associated with malnutrition and related diseases (M24)

D6.3.2.1.

Profiling of gut bacterial constituents with potential applications as postbiotics aimed at restoring immune system and metabolic functions in vulnerable subjects with malnutrition (M36)

Interaction with other spokes

State of the art

It is widely accepted that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in modulating inflammatory and immune responses of their host. In recent years, the host-microbiota interface has gained relevance in understanding the development of many non-communicable chronic conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer (e.g., Colorectal cancer or CRC), autoimmunity, malnutrition and neurodegeneration, and intestinal malabsorption resulting from congenital malformations and/or extensive intestinal resections (Short bowel syndrome, IBD, CRC).  Aim of the project is the evaluation of gut microbiome features in paediatric and ageing subjects affected by malnutrition and malnutrition-related conditions, with a focus on role of dietary pattern in: short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and aging related disorders. We will Investigate the role of diet, novel foods or nutraceutical supplements in gut microbiota profiles and relative metabolites in humans’ patients and in animal models to identify possible new strategies to counteract malnutrition associated with many of the aforementioned diseases in fragile population.

Operation plan

We will investigate the gut microbiota profiles and relative metabolites in patients under different clinical condition (Short Bowel Syndrome paediatric patients affected by intestinal malabsorption and in patients affected by Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) to identify biomarkers of malnutrition useful for undertaking targeted nutritional interventions and therapeutic action of sustainable personalized nutrition.

Novel food products have been administered to elderly and paediatric patients affected by pathologies that cause alterations of intestinal function and immune barrier leading to dysbiosis, with the aim of reducing their inflammatory state and improving absorption and intestinal motility. This clinical study has been completed. 
The interesting data obtained from the study showed the need to analyse in more detail the microbial communities (in addition to the bacterial component also the fungal one) together with an untargeted analysis of the relative metabolites (by using untargeted approach as shot gun sequencing and NMR) after the nutritional treatment in patients with different clinical condition:

  • administration of ready meals supplemented with microalgae to elderly patients with chronic degenerative diseases;
  • administration of dietary supplement consisting of a prebiotic combined with probiotics (symbiotics formula) to paediatric patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

We will study of role of gut microbiota and colon metabolites on CRC (as determined by different diets with different CRC recurrence risk based on meat consumption) in human and relevant CRC animal models by using Faecal Microbiota Transplant.

We will investigate the gut microbiota profiles in inflammatory animal models (rats treated with DSS), fed with selected vegetal extracts enriched in polyphenols (red fruits and algae).

 

Expected results

  • Identification of possible correlations between nutritional status and gut myco/microbiota profiles in different chronic disease (SBS and IBD) and associated malnutrition status.
  • Validation of the efficacy of the products administered (microalgae and symbiotics formula) to improve the intestinal well-being and nutritional status of patients. Evaluation of the impact of personalized and nutritionally balanced diets, and of the administration of a supplement consisting of microalgae and symbiotics formula on: inflammatory state, immune system, gut microbiome and mycobiome.
  • Provide support for the reliability of diet-modified metabolites as biomarkers and colorectal cancer risk predictors, to be correlated with specific microbial profiles. 
  • Validation of the efficacy of the products administered to animals (algae and red fruit extracts) to improve the intestinal dysbiosis and inflammation chemically induced. Evaluation of the impact on inflammatory state, immune system, gut microbiome and mycobiome.