Rewilding the Human Gut: Reintroduction of the Species Limosilactobacillus Reuteri

Summary

The large intestine is home to trillions of microbes, known as the gut microbiome, which perform essential functions, such as digesting food and fighting disease. The diversity of microbes present in our gut microbiome is influenced by lifestyle factors, such as dietary patterns, medication usage, and sanitation practices. Research shows that the diversity of the human gut microbiome decreases as societies undergo industrialization. For example, fecal samples from rural Papua New Guineans contain an additional 50 microbial species, such as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, not found in people living in the United States.

What has caused the disappearance of L. reuteri in industrialized countries is currently unknown. However, diet is a major factor influencing the composition of the gut microbiome. Microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) are indigestible carbohydrates that are a primary source of energy for gut microbes. North Americans consume far less of these carbohydrates (which are contained in foods such as beans, yams, and artichokes) than rural Papua New Guineans.

The overall aim of this controlled feeding study is to determine if a strain of L. reuteri isolated from rural Papua New Guinea can be established in the gut of Canadians when taken as a probiotic alongside a non-industrialized-type diet designed to promote its growth. Furthermore, the study will determine:

(i) the physiological and immunological effects of both L. reuteri and the non-industrialized-type diet, and (ii) the effects of both L. reuteri and the non-industrialized-type diet on gut microbiome ecology.

Conditions

• Microbial Colonization

Interventions

OTHER

L Reuteri PB-W1 Strain

L. Reuteri PB-W1 strain will be prepared in accordance to the standardized operating procedures to prepare Limosilactobacillus reuteri in food grade conditions

OTHER

L. Reuteri DSM20016T Strain

L. Reuteri DSM20016T strain will be prepared in accordance to the standardized operating procedures to prepare Limosilactobacillus reuteri in food grade conditions

OTHER

Placebo

2 g of maltodextrin will be dissolved in 50 ml water in food grade conditions

OTHER

Non-Industrialized-Type Diet

Non-industrialized-type diet will be prepared in a metabolic kitchen, with all meals and snacks provided to participants for three weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jens Walter, PhD · University College Cork

• Andrea Haqq, MD · University of Alberta

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-02-21

Primary Completion

2020-01-31

Completion

2020-01-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations