Bowel movement frequency (BMF) directly impacts the gut microbiota and is linked to diseases like chronic kidney disease or dementia. In particular, prior work has shown that constipation is associated with an ecosystem-wide switch from fiber fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production to more detrimental protein fermentation and toxin production. Here, we analyze multi-omic data from generally healthy adults to see how BMF affects their molecular phenotypes, in a pre-disease context. Results show differential abundances of gut microbial genera, blood metabolites, and variation in lifestyle factors across BMF categories. These differences relate to inflammation, heart health, liver function, and kidney function. Causal mediation analysis indicates that the association between lower BMF and reduced kidney function is partially mediated by the microbially derived toxin 3-indoxyl sulfate (3-IS). This result, in a generally healthy context, suggests that the accumulation of microbiota-derived toxins associated with abnormal BMF precede organ damage and may be drivers of chronic, aging-related diseases.
Here's our latest paper in @CellRepMed, where @jamespjohnsonuw delves into the multi-omic fingerprint of bowel movement frequency in the body.
— Sean Gibbons (@gibbological) July 16, 2024
We focused on a healthy cohort, & found signatures of organ damage in those with constipation & diarrhea.https://t.co/Qf9sqQBikY
🧵 https://t.co/clz9HAfwvM