Back to Search Start Over

Randomized Controlled-Feeding Study of Dietary Emulsifier Carboxymethylcellulose Reveals Detrimental Impacts on the Gut Microbiota and Metabolome

Authors :
Benoit, Chassaing
Charlene, Compher
Brittaney, Bonhomme
Qing, Liu
Yuan, Tian
William, Walters
Lisa, Nessel
Clara, Delaroque
Fuhua, Hao
Victoria, Gershuni
Lillian, Chau
Josephine, Ni
Meenakshi, Bewtra
Lindsey, Albenberg
Alexis, Bretin
Liam, McKeever
Ruth E, Ley
Andrew D, Patterson
Gary D, Wu
Andrew T, Gewirtz
James D, Lewis
Source :
Gastroenterology. 162(3)
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Epidemiologic and murine studies suggest that dietary emulsifiers promote development of diseases associated with microbiota dysbiosis. Although the detrimental impact of these compounds on the intestinal microbiota and intestinal health have been demonstrated in animal and in vitro models, impact of these food additives in healthy humans remains poorly characterized.To examine this notion in humans, we performed a double-blind controlled-feeding study of the ubiquitous synthetic emulsifier carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) in which healthy adults consumed only emulsifier-free diets (n = 9) or an identical diet enriched with 15 g per day of CMC (n = 7) for 11 days.Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity. Moreover, CMC-fed subjects exhibited changes in the fecal metabolome, particularly reductions in short-chain fatty acids and free amino acids. Furthermore, we identified 2 subjects consuming CMC who exhibited increased microbiota encroachment into the normally sterile inner mucus layer, a central feature of gut inflammation, as well as stark alterations in microbiota composition.These results support the notion that the broad use of CMC in processed foods may be contributing to increased prevalence of an array of chronic inflammatory diseases by altering the gut microbiome and metabolome (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03440229).

Details

ISSN :
15280012
Volume :
162
Issue :
3
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Gastroenterology
Accession number :
edsair.pmid..........e6de6a62f00c185be5946ab4dd4868be