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Selected Publication:
Mörkl, S.
Energy Sensing and Eating Behavior
in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa, Athletes, Obese, Overweight and Normal Weight Controls: The Gut Microbiome
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp.
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Leal Garcia Sabrina
- Advisor:
- Holasek Sandra Johanna
- Holl Anna
- Kapfhammer Hans-Peter
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a heterogeneous eating disorder with growing clinical relevance and a distinct impact on body composition. The gut microbiota is essential for the energy harvest from the diet and might therefore have an influence on digestion, satiety and body weight. In this context, gut dysbiosis might contribute to the pathogenesis of AN. The aim of this work is to investigate correlations between the gut microbiota, body composition, physical activity, diet, depression measures and laboratory parameters in a large female cohort divided into different body mass index (BMI) groups, AN patients and normal weight athletes (AT). Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated the gut microbiome of 106 female participants (AN patients (n=18), AT (n=20), normal weight (n=26), overweight (n=22) and obese women (n=20)). Genomic DNA was isolated from stool samples and bacterial composition was characterized by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. QIIME, a bioinformatic pipeline, was used to analyze data. Participants completed questionnaires about diet, physical activity and depression. Furthermore, anthropometric measurements, assessments of body composition and subcutaneous adipose tissue and laboratory parameters (serum lipids, markers of inflammation and the gut barrier marker zonulin) have been performed. Results: AN patients and obese participants had significantly lower alpha diversity compared to the other groups, while AT showed highest species richness. Bacterial community structures were significantly associated with body fat parameters, serum lipids, CRP, depression scales and smoking. The bacterial family of Coriobacteriaceae was identified as a significantly enriched phylotype in AN compared to the other groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates evidence of microbial alterations in AN, points out differences in the gut microbiome among BMI groups and shows correlations between the gut microbiota profile, anthropometric measurements, body composition, body fat distribution, inflammation and depression. These insights may provide new opportunities to improve the standard therapy of AN by addressing the gut microbiota.