In a recent study published in Frontiers in Nutritionresearchers investigated the relationship between the gut microbial community and hypothyroidism.
Study: Cross-talk between gut microbiota and hypothyroidism: a two-way Mendelian two-sample randomization study. Image credit: sdecoret/Shutterstock.com
Record
Hypothyroidism is a hormonal imbalance characterized by reduced activity of the thyroid gland and insufficient synthesis of thyroid hormones, which can lead to heart disease, infertility and poor brain development in children.
It has a huge economic and social impact on the people affected. Research has revealed that the gut microbiome can indirectly affect thyroid function, with studies showing a reduction in Prevotella in hypothyroid patients and an increase in Phascolarctobacteriumresulting in reduced bacterial diversity and richness.
Gut microbes create short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which control the expression of thyroid cells and keep the intestinal barrier intact. Inadequate iodine consumption is a major cause of hypothyroidism, as gut flora affects mineral absorption and enzyme activity in thyroid hormone production.
However, the exact relationship between gut microbes and hypothyroidism is unknown due to historical case-control studies and confounding variables such as age, environment, diet, and lifestyle.
Understanding the association between the gut microbiome and hypothyroidism requires extensive research into the underlying reasons and the development of new therapeutic options.
About the study
The present two-sample, two-way Mendelian randomization (MR) investigators investigated whether gut microbes causally influence the development of hypothyroidism.
The team analyzed summary statistics data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provided by FinnGen [26,342 hypothyroidism cases of hypothyroidism with 59,827 controls; 16,378,441 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)] and MiBioGen consortia (n = 18,430).
They selected organismal variables (IVs) from the MiBioGen consortium dataset, targeting SNPs associated with gut microbial composition and measuring IV heterogeneity using Cochran’s Q statistic.
The team used several techniques, including weighted median, MR-Egger, simple model, weighted model, inverse variance weighted (IVW) and MR-PRESSO, to determine whether gut microbes are causally related to hypothyroidism.
They also performed reverse MRI evaluations for microbes that showed causal associations with the development of hypothyroidism on forward MRI evaluation. For sensitivity analysis, they assessed horizontal pleiotropy and performed a leave-one-out analysis.
The researchers analyzed 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene variable sites V1-V2, V3-V4, and V4 to assess gut microbial abundance and taxonomic classifications by direct-type taxonomic binding.
They mapped microbiome quantitative trait loci (mbQTL) to detect genetic variants associated with specific loci associated with gut bacteria. The researchers analyzed 119 taxa at the genus level, using 1,231 single nucleotide polymorphisms as genetic variables for assessment.
Results and discussion
In IVW analysis, Ackermansia species (odds ratio 0.8), Ruminococcaceae Isolate UCG-011 (odds ratio 0.9), Butyrivibrio species (odds ratio 0.9), and Hold’em species (odds ratio 0.9) showed protective effects against hypothyroidism.
In contrast, Windshields species (odds ratio 1.2), Intestinal species (odds ratio 1.1), and Ruminiclostridium species (odds ratio 1.2) were detrimental to hypothyroidism.
Reverse MRI assessments showed no significant effects of hypothyroidism on the gut microbiome. Cochran’s Q statistics showed no significant heterogeneity between instrumental variables. Sensitivity analyzes demonstrated non-significant horizontal pleiotropy and no SNP significantly influenced the association between gut microbes and hypothyroidism.
Ackermansia, a gut microbe that strengthens the intestinal lining, strengthens the mucus layer and regulates the immune system, is a promising probiotic or live biotherapeutic treatment product. Its intestinal repair and immunomodulatory functions may provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of hypothyroidism.
Butyrivibrio bacteria, which break down plant fiber and produce butyric acid, can create SCFAs and promote intestinal wellness, which may be an important factor in hypothyroidism.
Hold’em mania it is associated with several diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Hypothyroidism, characterized by decreased levels of thyroid hormones, can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with elevated levels Hold’em in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the concentration of butyric acid.
The results showed that aerodynamicsspecialized anaerobes that produce acetic and butyric acid, may contribute to hypothyroidism.
The finding may be due to confounding factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, dietary habits and medications. Hypothyroidism can cause impaired gastrointestinal motility and overgrowth of intestinal flora, potentially altering Windshields abundance during recovery.
The study showed causal relationships between Ackermansia species and hypothyroidism, with increased Ackermansia inhibiting incidence and progression.
Researchers identified probiotics such as Akkermansia, Hold’em mania, Ruminococcaceae UCG-011, and Butyrivibrio that protect against hypothyroidism, while the intestine, Windshieldsand Ruminiclostridium it had the opposite effect. However, additional randomized clinical trials are needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms that researchers can target for personalized therapies that enhance precision care.
