Metagenomic comparison of intestinal microbiota between normal and liver fibrotic rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

• Published in: Scientific reports 2024-07, Vol.14 (1), p.15677-12, Article 15677
• Main Authors: Wei, Yuankui, Li, Junhui, Zhu, Baoqiang, Hu, Qi, Lan, Ming, Zhou, Jia, Luo, Jianbo, Zhu, Wanlong, Lai, Yong, Long, Enwu, Zhou, Liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 16S rRNA gene sequencing; 631/326; 631/601; Animals; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Cirrhosis; Feces; Feces - microbiology; Fibrosis; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - genetics; Humanities and Social Sciences; Intestinal microbiota; Intestinal microflora; Lactobacillus; Liver; Liver cirrhosis; Liver Cirrhosis - genetics; Liver Cirrhosis - microbiology; Liver Cirrhosis - pathology; Liver diseases; Liver fibrosis; Macaca mulatta; Macaca mulatta - microbiology; Male; Metabolic pathways; Metagenome; Metagenomic; Metagenomics; Metagenomics - methods; Microbiota; multidisciplinary; Relative abundance; Rhesus macaques; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; rRNA 16S; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64397-7

Liver fibrosis is an important pathological process in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Recent studies have found a close association between intestinal microbiota and the development of liver fibrosis. To determine whether there are differences in the intestinal microbiota between rhesus macaques with liver fibrosis (MG) and normal rhesus macaques (MN), fecal samples were collected from 8 male MG and 12 male MN. The biological composition of the intestinal microbiota was then detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results revealed statistically significant differences in ASVs and Chao1 in the alpha-diversity and the beta-diversity of intestinal microbiota between MG and MN. Both groups shared Prevotella and Lactobacillus as common dominant microbiota. However, beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus were significantly less abundant in MG ( P  = 0.02). Predictive functional analysis using PICRUSt2 gene prediction revealed that MG exhibited a higher relative abundance of functions related to substance transport and metabolic pathways. This study may provide insight into further exploration of the mechanisms by which intestinal microbiota affect liver fibrosis and its potential future use in treating liver fibrosis.