Temporal stability of fecal metabolomic profiles in irritable bowel syndrome
Journal article, 2024

BackgroundThe potential of the fecal metabolome to serve as a biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) depends on its stability over time. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the temporal dynamics of the fecal metabolome, and the potential relationship with stool consistency, in patients with IBS and healthy subjects.MethodsFecal samples were collected in two cohorts comprising patients with IBS and healthy subjects. For Cohort A, fecal samples collected during 5 consecutive days were analyzed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). For Cohort B, liquid chromatography-MS (LC-MS) was used to analyze fecal samples collected at week 0 (healthy and IBS) and at week 4 (patients only). Stool consistency was determined by the Bristol Stool Form scale.Key ResultsFecal samples were collected from Cohort A (seven healthy subjects and eight IBS patients), and Cohort B (seven healthy subjects and 11 IBS patients). The fecal metabolome of IBS patients was stable short-term (Cohort A, 5 days and within the same day) and long-term (Cohort B, 4 weeks). A similar trend was observed over 5 days in the healthy subjects of Cohort A. The metabolome dissimilarity was larger between than within participants over time in both healthy subjects and IBS patients. Further analyses showed that patients had greater range of stool forms (types) than healthy subjects, with no apparent influence on metabolomic dynamics.Conclusion & InferencesThe fecal metabolome is stable over time within IBS patients as well as healthy subjects. This supports the concept of a stable fecal metabolome in IBS despite fluctuations in stool consistency, and the use of single timepoint sampling to further explore how the fecal metabolome is related to IBS pathogenesis. The metabolite profile of fecal samples remains stable over time in IBS and health, independently of stool consistency fluctuations. Single timepoint sampling might be used to further explore how the fecal metabolome is related to IBS pathogenesis.

fecal metabolites

temporal dynamic

longitudinal

metabolomics

irritable bowel syndrome

Author

Cristina Iribarren

University of Gothenburg

Otto Savolainen

Chalmers, Life Sciences, Systems and Synthetic Biology

Maria Sapnara

University of Gothenburg

Hans Toernblom

University of Gothenburg

Magnus Simren

University of Gothenburg

Maria K. Magnusson

University of Gothenburg

Lena Ohman

University of Gothenburg

Neurogastroenterology and Motility

1350-1925 (ISSN) 13652982 (eISSN)

Vol. 36 3 e14741

Subject Categories

Gastroenterology and Hepatology

DOI

10.1111/nmo.14741

PubMed

38243381

More information

Latest update

3/7/2024 9