Abstract
Objective
Studies suggest that functional constipation (FC) is more common in preschool children with allergic rhinitis (AR) compared to those without. FC can significantly impact a child's quality of life. This study investigated the relationship between AR and FC in children diagnosed with both conditions (disease group) and a healthy control group. We compared the gut microbiota (GM) composition of children in both groups.
Methods
The 16S rRNA sequencing technology was employed to compare the GMsequencing results of 32 children with AR and FC and 21 healthy children.
Results
Compared with the healthy group: 1) the GM α-diversity in the disease group was significantly higher (P=0.014); 2) At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes (P<0.05) decreased significantly, while that of Proteobateria was increased significantly in the disease group (P<0.05); 3) At the genus (species) level, the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Phascolarctobacterium, Veillonella (Veillonella_parvula, Veillonella_dispar), Escherichia/Shigella, Klebsiella (Klebsiella_pneumoniae) ,Streptococcus, Escherichia/Shigella and Bacteroides_thetaiotaomicron increased (P<0.05), but the abundance of Bacteroides (Bacteroides_uniformis), Faecalibacterium (Faecalibacterium_prausnitzii), Ruminococcus, Kineothrix (Kineothrix_alysoides), Anaerostipes (Anaerostipes_hadrus) and Bifidobacterium_longum decreased significantly in disease group (P<0.05). 4) The abundance of functional pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism, Transport_and_Catabolism, Endocrine_System, Nervous_System, Metabolic_Diseases and Immune_System were significantly decreased. 5) Furthermore, GM was found to be correlated with the clinical features of the disease group.
Conclusion
Analysis of the GM composition and function in the disease group suggests that supplementing the disease group with probiotics that produce butyric acid and dietary fiber (prebiotics) may correct dysregulation of GM, thereby improve AR and FC symptoms.