Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Gulden, L.
The role of methane-producing archaea in the human gut
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2021. pp. 135
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Moissl-Eichinger Christine
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction Archaea have long been considered extremophile microorganisms, since these prokaryotes which are similar to bacteria have been found in environments hostile to most lifeforms, where they thrive at high temperatures, under high pressure and low pH-levels. In the years that followed, however, it emerged that archaea not only occur ubiquitously as a separate domain alongside bacteria and eukaryotes but are also part of the human microbiome. Since then, attempts have repeatedly been made to establish a connection between archaea and human health and disease. So far, no pathogenic archaeon has been identified. The object of this diploma thesis is to find a connection between the intestinal microbiome and certain properties of the study participants, using the collected data by the Graz Study on Health and Aging (GSHA) in combination with a faecal microbiome analysis. Special attention was put on the role of archaea. Methods The collected data from the GSHA included data on anthropometrics, medical conditions, use of medication and nutritional supplements and blood tests, including a hormone-blood-test. For the microbiome analysis, a universal and an archaea-specific PCR and qPCR were carried out and statistically evaluated. Results Methanogenic archaea, especially Methanobrevibacter showed a significant association with normal insulin levels. In groups with high insulin levels, the abundance of Methanobrevibacter is significantly reduced. In addition, multiple other associations were found, however, most of them were only significant before adjusting the p-level for multiple testing. Archaea were found in up to 70% of all samples and were accountable for about 0.04% of all faecal microorganisms when they were present. Conclusion Methanogens are involved in complex and fairly understood metabolic mechanisms. Due to their involvement in the energy metabolism, an association of methanogens and insulin levels seems possible. Nevertheless, more studies with larger group size are necessary to confirm or refute this hypothesis and the other associations in question. In addition, we were only able to detect different methanogenic archaea.