Consumption of poly-γ-glutamate-vitamin B6 supplement and urinary microbiota profiles in Korean healthy adults: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled intervention study
- Author:
Jungmin PARK
1
;
Inkyung BAIK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Research
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2024;18(5):663-673
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:Poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a natural polymer found in fermented soybean products, has been reported to play a prebiotic role in the gut. This intervention study investigated the effects of γ-PGA-containing supplement consumption on urinary microbiota in healthy adults because of limited data on such investigation.
SUBJECTS/METHODS:A 4-week parallel trial including 39 male and female Korean adults, who were free of chronic diseases and infection, was designed as a randomized, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled study. A total of 30 participants completed the study wherein the intervention group (n = 17) received a mixture supplement containing 600 mg/day of γ-PGA and 100 mg/day of vitamin B6, while the control group (n = 13) received a placebo.Paired datasets (baseline and endpoint data) of microbiota profiles, which were constructed via urinary assays of microbe-derived extracellular vesicles, were analyzed and compared between the two groups.
RESULTS:Only the intervention group yielded significant results for the Bray-Curtis and Jaccard dissimilarity indices between baseline and endpoint data (P < 0.05). In the phylumlevel analysis of microbial composition, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (FB ratio) tended to decrease from baseline in the intervention group; however, it increased in the control group.Differences between the baseline and endpoint FB ratios were significant between the two groups (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:This study’s findings suggest that γ-PGA-vitamin B6 supplementation potentially alters the microbial community composition of a host. Further investigation into the biological consequences of commensal microbiota alteration by γ-PGA-containing supplement consumption is warranted.
