The Association between the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio and Body Mass among European Population with the Highest Proportion of Adults with Obesity: An Observational Follow-Up Study from Croatia
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the main constituents of the gut microbiota. An imbalance in the gut microbiota is a sign of dysbiosis, and the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio has been proposed to be a marker of it, especially in the context of...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Biomedicines |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/10/2263 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes are the main constituents of the gut microbiota. An imbalance in the gut microbiota is a sign of dysbiosis, and the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio has been proposed to be a marker of it, especially in the context of obesity. Since Croatia is the country with one of the highest obesity rates in Europe, a pilot observational study was conducted. The aim of the study was to investigate the validity of this potential biomarker in a methodological study using sample processing, DNA sequence analysis and characterization of recruited participants, including various health factors. <b>Methods</b>: A study involving Croatian population was conducted. Participants age, body weight, gender, health history and lifestyle factors were recorded. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. The F/B ratio was calculated and evaluated in the context of health factors. Statistical analysis was performed to detect the possible association of F/B ratio and excess body weight (kg) and possible impact of certain lifestyle factors. <b>Results</b>: No association between the F/B ratio and excess body weight (kg) was found. Excess body weight was significantly associated with higher age, male gender, and history of appendectomy. No significant health predictors of the F/B ratio were found, but weight gain was positively associated with a higher average F/B ratio. <b>Conclusions</b>: Although this study could not confirm the predictive value of the F/B ratio or any other phyla-related biomarker for excess body weight in the study population, it demonstrated interesting insights into the obesity-associated gut microbiota. |
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| ISSN: | 2227-9059 |