Remodeling of Gut Microbiome of Pakistani Expats in China After Ramadan Fasting

Abstract

Time-restricted intermittent fasting (TRIF) has gained popularity as an intervention for addressing overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. It may influence the composition of the gut microbiome, potentially affecting various microbiome-mediated functions in humans. However, limited studies have been conducted involving TRIF and microbiome on developing and underdeveloped populations. Here, we investigated the impact of TRIF/Ramadan fasting (16:8) on the changes of gut microbiome and functional profiling of microbial communities during and after the month of Ramadan in Pakistani Expats living in China. We observed substantial change in alpha diversity during TRIF; the changes in gut microbial structure by the end of TRIF were higher vis-a-vis in the beginning. Significant differences were observed among individuals; several bacteria (Clostridium perfringens, Coprococcus comes, and Lactococcus lactis, among others) were changed significantly (p < 0.05). Additionally, amino acid, carbohydrate, and energy metabolism; glycan biosynthesis; and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins were significantly affected by TRIF. Pyridoxamine, glutamate, citrulline, arachidonic acid, and short-chain fatty acids showed substantial differences at different time points based on the predicted metabolic pathways. The preliminary results from this study demonstrate significant potential for elucidating the mechanisms underlying gut microbiome stability and enhancing the effectiveness of microbiome-tailored interventions among the Pakistani populace to ameliorate metabolic disorders.