Prediction of irritable bowel syndrome by integrating urine metabolites and gut microbiota

ABSTRACT:

Abstract

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. While gut microbiota alterations and metabolic disturbances have been implicated in IBS, their diagnostic utility remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of integrating gut microbiota profiling and urinary metabolomics for improved IBS classification.

Methods

Fifty-four participants (27 healthy controls, 27 IBS patients) were recruited for gut microbiota and urinary metabolite analysis. Gut microbiota composition was assessed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and urinary metabolites were profiled using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess the predictive accuracy of gut microbiota, urinary metabolites, and their combined model.

Results

LEfSe analysis identified that Bacteroides eggerthii and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans as enriched in IBS patients, whereas Hallella bergensis and Faecalitalea cylindroides were predominant in healthy individuals. Urinary metabolite analysis revealed significant structural variationsalterations in metabolite profiles, with IBS patients exhibiting elevated fructose levels and trends of increased serine, mannose, and galactose. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that urinary metabolomics outperformed gut microbiota profiling, while a combined approach integrating both datasets achieved the highest predictive accuracy.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the predictive potential of integrating urinary metabolomics with gut microbiota profiling for IBS classification. The multi-marker approach demonstrated superior predictive accuracy, suggesting a promising non-invasive strategy for IBS classification and patient stratification.

INSTRUMENT(S): Gas Chromatography MS - positive

PROVIDER: MTBLS12737 | MetaboLights | 2025-07-17

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights