Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine
https://iberoamjmed.com/article/doi/10.53986/ibjm.2022.0010
Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine
Original article

Alterations of gut bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in late post-transplant period after liver transplantation

Alteraciones de las bacterias intestinales Akkermansia muciniphila y Faecalibacterium prausnitzii en el postrasplante tardío tras trasplante hepático

Alexander Kukov, Milena Peruhova, Atanas Syarov, Iskra Altankova, Nonka Yurukova, Andrei Goncharov, Radoslava Vazharova, Anoaneta Mihova, Tsvetelina Velikova, Yordanka Uzunova

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Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota can modulate certain systemic metabolic and immune responses, including liver graft function and the development of complications in patients after liver transplantation (LT). Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FAEP) are two of the most abundant gut commensal bacteria, with mucosa-protective and anti-inflammatory effects that are important for maintaining normal intestinal homeostasis and gut barrier function. Our objective was to quantify levels of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in immunosuppressed patients with LT.
Materials and methods: Fecal samples from 23 liver transplant patients (15 adults and 8 children) and 9 non-LT controls were examined. Bacterial DNA was isolated from the samples using the stool DNA isolation kit and the obtained DNA was analyzed with commercially available qPCR kit for AKM and FAEP.
Results: We found a statistically significant decrease in the amount of AKM and FAEP compared to the control group. The median values were: for AKM 8.75 for patients and 10.25 for the control group (p = 0.030), and for FAEP 9.72 and 10.47, p = 0.003, respectively. In children after LT, this difference was also statistically significant: AKM (p = 0.051) and FAEP (p = 0.014). In contrast no statistically significant differences were found between adult patients and controls, AKM (p = 0.283) and FAEP (p = 0.056), although the amount of both bacteria showed tendency for reduction.
Conclusions: In this pilot study, we found a reduction in the total amount of the two studied bacteria in transplanted patients compared to the control healthy group.

Keywords

Akkermansia muciniphila; Faecalibacterium prausnitzii; Gut microbiota; Liver transplantation; Immunosuppression

Resumen

Introducción: Estudios recientes han demostrado que la microbiota intestinal puede modular determinadas respuestas metabólicas e inmunitarias sistémicas, entre ellas la función del injerto hepático y el desarrollo de complicaciones en pacientes tras un trasplante hepático (TH). Akkermansia muciniphila (AKM) y Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FAEP) son dos de las bacterias comensales intestinales más abundantes, con efectos protectores de la mucosa y antiinflamatorios que son importantes para mantener la homeostasis intestinal normal y la función de barrera intestinal. Nuestro objetivo fue cuantificar los niveles de Akkermansia muciniphila y Faecalibacterium prausnitzii en pacientes inmunodeprimidos con TH.
Materiales y métodos: Se examinaron muestras fecales de 23 pacientes trasplantados de hígado (15 adultos y 8 niños) y 9 controles sin TH. El ADN bacteriano se aisló de las muestras utilizando el kit de aislamiento de ADN de heces y el ADN obtenido se analizó con el kit qPCR disponible comercialmente para AKM y FAEP.
Resultados: Encontramos una disminución estadísticamente significativa en la cantidad de AKM y FAEP en comparación con el grupo control. Los valores medianos fueron: para AKM 8,75 para los pacientes y 10,25 para el grupo control (p = 0,030), y para FAEP 9,72 y 10,47, p = 0,003, respectivamente. En niños tras TH, esta diferencia también fue estadísticamente significativa: AKM (p = 0,051) y FAEP (p = 0,014). Por el contrario, no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre pacientes adultos y controles, AKM (p = 0,283) y FAEP (p = 0,056), aunque la cantidad de ambas bacterias mostró tendencia a la reducción.
Conclusiones: En este estudio piloto, encontramos una reducción en la cantidad total de las dos bacterias estudiadas en pacientes trasplantados en comparación con el grupo control sano.

Palabras clave

Akkermansia muciniphila; Faecalibacterium prausnitzii; Microbiota intestinal; Trasplante de hígado; Inmunosupresión

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Submitted date:
11/18/2021

Reviewed date:
12/15/2021

Accepted date:
01/17/2022

Publication date:
01/17/2022

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