A structured weight loss program increases gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity and reduces levels of Collinsella in obese type 2 diabetics: A pilot study

PLoS One. 2019 Jul 18;14(7):e0219489. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219489. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The global obesity epidemic constitutes a major cause of morbidity and mortality challenging public health care systems worldwide. Thus, a better understanding of its pathophysiology and the development of novel therapeutic options are urgently needed. Recently, alterations of the intestinal microbiome in the obese have been discussed as a promoting factor in the pathophysiology of obesity and as a contributing factor to related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The present pilot study investigated the effect of a structured weight loss program on fecal microbiota in obese type 2 diabetics. Twelve study subjects received a low-calorie formula diet for six weeks, followed by a nine week food reintroduction and stabilization period. Fecal microbiota were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples at baseline, after six weeks and at the end of the study after fifteen weeks. All study subjects lost weight continuously throughout the program. Changes in fecal microbiota were most pronounced after six weeks of low-calorie formula diet, but reverted partially until the end of the study. However, the gut microbiota phylogenetic diversity increased persistently. The abundance of Collinsella, which has previously been associated with atherosclerosis, decreased significantly during the weight loss program. This study underlines the impact of dietary changes on the intestinal microbiome and further demonstrates the beneficial effects of weight loss on gut microbiota. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02970838.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinobacteria / physiology*
  • Biodiversity
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / microbiology*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / microbiology*
  • Phylogeny*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Weight Reduction Programs

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02970838

Grants and funding

The standardized weight loss program OPTIFAST was used with the consent of Nestlé Health Science Germany which also provided partial funding for this study and granted a 15% discount to the study participants. The work reviewed was further supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG GRK 1947/A3), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF GANI-MED 03IS2061A, 0314107, 01ZZ9603, 01ZZ0103, 01ZZ0403, 03ZIK012, FKZ: 01EK1511A), and the European Union (EU-FP-7: EPC-TM, V-630-S-150-2012/132/133, ESF/14-BM-A55-0045/16, TBI-V-242-VBW-084 and TBI-V-1-245-VBW-085). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.