Correlation between intraluminal oxygen gradient and radial partitioning of intestinal microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

The gut microbiota is a complex and densely populated community in a dynamic environment determined by host physiology. We investigated how intestinal oxygen levels affect the composition of the fecal and mucosally adherent microbiota.

Methods

We used the phosphorescence quenching method and a specially designed intraluminal oxygen probe to dynamically quantify gut luminal oxygen levels in mice. 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to characterize the microbiota in intestines of mice exposed to hyperbaric oxygen, human rectal biopsy and mucosal swab samples, and paired human stool samples.

Results

Average Po2 values in the lumen of the cecum were extremely low (<1 mm Hg). In altering oxygenation of mouse intestines, we observed that oxygen diff

SUBMITTER: Albenberg L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4252572 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature