Effect of dietary selenium intake on gut microbiota in older population in Enshi region

Genes and Environment

Hua Xiang¹  Tuo Li²  Guo-gen Sun²  Zi-xiong Zhang²  Yan-hua Yang²  Chen Chen³ 

[1] Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, Hubei Province, China;Institute of Selenium and Human Health of Hubei, Enshi City, Hubei Province, China;Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi City, Hubei Province, China;Research Institute of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China;

关键词: Selenium;    Gut microbiota;    16S RNA;    Diet;    Enshi;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s41021-021-00220-3

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe microbial ecosystem in the human gut varies between individuals with differences in diet. Selenium is one of most common trace elements in everyday diet, and selenium intake affects the human gut microbiota. We studied the effect of selenium intake on the gut microbiota in regions of Enshi with different distributions of selenium.MethodsOne hundred elderly subjects (>65 years) were recruited from high-selenium and low-selenium areas in Enshi and blood, nail, and fecal specimens were obtained. The selenium contents in these samples were determined in triplicate by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. DNA was extracted from fecal specimens and the microbial diversity was analyzed by 16 S RNA.ResultsThe selenium contents in the blood and nails were significantly different between the high- and low-selenium areas, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota, including abundance and extent of intestinal flora, was altered. The function and metabolic pathways of the gut microbiota showed clear differences.ConclusionsAs a trace element in human diet, selenium intake is an important factor that affects the intestinal microbiota and is likely involved in many human diseases. This study provides new clues and ideas for studying the correlation between selenium and human health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY