Gut microbiota and urine metabolomics signature in autism spectrum disorder children from Southern China.

Researchers studied gut bacteria and urine chemistry in 88 children from Southern China to understand autism differences. They found autistic children had less diverse gut bacteria and different bacterial communities compared to typical children. Five specific types of bacteria were more common in autistic children. The study also found connections between certain bacteria and body chemicals involved in protein processing, suggesting these might be useful markers for autism in this specific population.

This cohort study examined gut microbiota and urine metabolomics in 88 participants from Southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) biomarkers with regional characteristics. Results showed ASD children had significantly lower gut microbial diversity (α-diversity) and distinct community structure (β-diversity) compared to healthy controls. Five specific bacterial species were enriched in ASD children: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Blautia obeum, Lachnoclostridium sp., and Blautia sp. Functional analysis revealed associations with ATP-binding cassette transport systems.

Notably, positive correlations were found between specific microbiota and metabolites involved in arginine and proline metabolism pathways, suggesting potential biomarkers specific to this ethnic population.

Findings suggest potential for microbiome-based biomarkers and interventions in ASD, particularly regarding gut bacterial diversity and specific species. The connection to amino acid metabolism pathways may inform dietary interventions. However, regional and ethnic specificity requires validation in broader populations before clinical application.

Study focused on specific ethnic population (Zhuang) from one region, limiting generalizability. Sample size breakdown between ASD and control groups not clearly specified. Observational design cannot establish causation between microbiota changes and ASD symptoms.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that may have long-term effects on individual development, family functioning, and social integration. This study aimed to determine the gut microbiota and urine metabolomics signature and identify the regional characteristics in ASD from Southern China. We conducted a cohort study of 88 well-characterized participants from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China. Gut microbiota and urine metabolomics signature was explored by 16 S rRNA sequences and untargeted metabolomic profiles respectively.

The gut microbial α-diversity of ASD were significantly lower than healthy controls. The β-diversity analysis indicated that the community structure in ASD group was obviously distinctive. Significant microbiota enriched in 5 sensitive species, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium catenulatum, Blautia obeum, Lachnoclostridium sp., and Blautia sp. in ASD children. In addition, functional analysis of the gut microbiota revealed that the ATP-binding cassette and ABC-2 type transport system ATP-binding protein were closely associated with ASD.

Notably, microbiota showing a positive correlation with Androstenedione, Stearamide, Oleamide, Cadaverine, Hexadecanamide, Orotic acid, Linoleic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Lauric acid, suggesting a potential association with the Arginine and proline metabolism pathway. This study found lower α-diversity, unique β-diversity, enriched species, and positive correlations between microbiota and Arginine/Proline metabolis, which demonstrated typical signature of microbiota and metabolites discriminated Zhuang ethnic group ASD children of regional characteristics.