Background

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Yet, the underlying mechanisms of constipation remain to be explored deeply. Integration of microbiome and metabolome is powerful and promising to demonstrate characteristics of constipation.

Aim of Study

This study aimed to characterize intestinal microbiome and metabolome of constipation. In addition, this study revealed the correlations among behaviors, intestinal microbiota, and metabolites interrupted by constipation.

Methods

Firstly, the constipation model was successfully applied. At the macro level, the ability of learning, memory, locomotor activity, and the defecation index of rats with constipation-like phenotype were characterized. At the micro-level, 16S rRNA sequencing was applied to analyze the intestinal microbiota in rats with constipation-like phenotype. ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics was employed to investigate the metabolic phenotype of constipation. In addition, we constructed a correlation network, intuitively showing the correlations among behaviors, intestinal microbiota, and metabolites.

Results

Constipation significantly attenuated the locomotor activity, memory recognition, and frequency of defecation of rats, while increased the time of defecation. Constipation significantly changed the diversity of intestinal microbial communities, which correspondingly involved in 5 functional pathways. Besides, 28 fecal metabolites were found to be associated with constipation, among which 14 metabolites were further screened that can be used to diagnose constipation. On top of this, associated networks intuitively showed the correlations among behaviors, intestinal microbiota, and metabolites.

Conclusions

The current findings are significant in terms of not only laying a foundation for understanding characteristics of constipation, but also providing accurate diagnosis and treatments of constipation clinically.

Graphical Abstract

中文翻译：

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从微生物组和代谢组的角度探讨便秘的胃肠道特征

背景

便秘是最常见的胃肠道疾病之一。然而，便秘的潜在机制仍有待深入探讨。微生物组和代谢组的整合是强大的，有望证明便秘的特征。

学习目的

本研究旨在表征便秘的肠道微生物组和代谢组。此外，这项研究还揭示了行为、肠道微生物群和因便秘而中断的代谢物之间的相关性。

方法

首先，便秘模型得到成功应用。在宏观层面上，对便秘样表型大鼠的学习、记忆、运动能力和排便指数进行了表征。在微观层面，应用16S rRNA测序分析便秘样表型大鼠的肠道微生物群。^{采用基于1} H 核磁共振 (NMR) 的代谢组学来研究便秘的代谢表型。此外，我们构建了一个相关网络，直观地显示行为、肠道微生物群和代谢物之间的相关性。

结果

便秘显着减弱大鼠的运动能力、记忆识别能力和排便频率，同时增加排便时间。便秘显着改变了肠道微生物群落的多样性，相应地涉及5个功能途径。此外，还发现28种粪便代谢物与便秘相关，其中进一步筛选出14种代谢物可用于诊断便秘。最重要的是，相关网络直观地显示了行为、肠道微生物群和代谢物之间的相关性。

结论

目前的研究结果不仅为了解便秘的特征奠定了基础，而且为临床上便秘的准确诊断和治疗提供了重要意义。

图形概要