Impact of the early-life gut microbiota on human health and development
File(s)
Author(s)
Zuffa, Simone
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Humans play host to trillions of microorganisms collectively termed the microbiota. The mutualistic relationship, established at birth, between the microbiota and their host shapes the overall fitness and health trajectory of the individual. Growing evidence suggests that the establishment of an aberrant gut microbiota during the first month of life can lead to the development of non-communicable diseases in later life. Such conditions can be difficult to treat in adulthood, prompting the need to prevent their initial development through targeted interventions during early life.
This thesis explores the role of the early life gut microbiota in shaping human health and development and its potential to be modified through nutritional components. First, a longitudinal observational study investigating gut bacterial communities and their metabolism in infants at high risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) development highlighted the role of Bifidobacterium and -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the onset of the disorder. Then, two different intervention studies, one investigating the effects of a specific synbiotics supplementation in Caesarean born infants and the other exploring the effects of a supplementation with a specific prebiotic mixture and large, phospholipid-coated dairy-vegetable lipid droplets (Nuturis®) in formula fed infants, highlighted a possible modulation of the gut microbiota and physiological effects. Specifically, the synbiotic supplementation showed increased bifidobacteria abundance and acetate production, potentially contributing to an observed reduction in atopic adverse events in the infants, while the Nuturis® supplementation reduced opportunistic pathogens presence in the gut and did not lead to a significantly higher BMI at one year of age compared to breastfed infants, which on the other hand was observed for infants receiving standard cow milk based formula...
This thesis explores the role of the early life gut microbiota in shaping human health and development and its potential to be modified through nutritional components. First, a longitudinal observational study investigating gut bacterial communities and their metabolism in infants at high risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) development highlighted the role of Bifidobacterium and -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the onset of the disorder. Then, two different intervention studies, one investigating the effects of a specific synbiotics supplementation in Caesarean born infants and the other exploring the effects of a supplementation with a specific prebiotic mixture and large, phospholipid-coated dairy-vegetable lipid droplets (Nuturis®) in formula fed infants, highlighted a possible modulation of the gut microbiota and physiological effects. Specifically, the synbiotic supplementation showed increased bifidobacteria abundance and acetate production, potentially contributing to an observed reduction in atopic adverse events in the infants, while the Nuturis® supplementation reduced opportunistic pathogens presence in the gut and did not lead to a significantly higher BMI at one year of age compared to breastfed infants, which on the other hand was observed for infants receiving standard cow milk based formula...
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2021-11-01
Date Awarded
2022-01-01
Copyright Statement
Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial Licence
License URL
Advisor
Swann, Jonathan
Ebbels, Timothy
Sponsor
Danone Nutricia Research (Firm)
Grant Number
P75010
Publisher Department
Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)