Association between the gut microbiota composition and alpha-diversity on the hormonal response and appetitive measures of individuals with obesity after a meal either rich in ultra-processed foods or without ultra-processed foods: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial
Nayara Gomes Graciliano, Ana Debora Santos de Oliveira, Guilherme César Oliveira de Carvalho, Maria Bárbara Galdino-Silva, Karine Maria Moreira Almeida, Samyra Araújo Monteiro Carvalho, Nassib Bezerra Bueno
{"title":"Association between the gut microbiota composition and alpha-diversity on the hormonal response and appetitive measures of individuals with obesity after a meal either rich in ultra-processed foods or without ultra-processed foods: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial","authors":"Nayara Gomes Graciliano, Ana Debora Santos de Oliveira, Guilherme César Oliveira de Carvalho, Maria Bárbara Galdino-Silva, Karine Maria Moreira Almeida, Samyra Araújo Monteiro Carvalho, Nassib Bezerra Bueno","doi":"10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.08.028","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Obesity and the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with gut microbiota composition and diversity, which may contribute to alterations in the regulation of hormones involved in satiety, given the gut microbiota's role in regulating host appetite. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of gut microbiota composition and alpha-diversity at the genus-level on postprandial changes in satiety hormones, and appetitive measures in individuals with obesity, given either a meal rich in UPF or a meal without UPF.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Individuals were randomized to two groups: a) a non-UPF meal and b) a UPF meal. Both meals were matched for energy, energy density, macronutrients, fiber, and sodium content. The gut microbiota composition was analyzed using DNA <em>metabarcoding</em> and 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha-diversity was assessed using the Shannon, Simpson's, and Inverse-Simpson indices at the genus level. Blood samples for hormonal (ghrelin, leptin, and GIP) and appetitive measures (hunger, satiety, fullness, and capacity to eat) were taken using visual analog scales after a 12-h fast and 90 min post-meal.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Twenty individuals were included in the UPF group, and 19 were in the control group, with no significant differences in gut microbiota composition or alpha-diversity indices between the groups. All hormone concentrations and appetitive measures varied significantly over time, regardless of the type of meal. A greater alpha-diversity of gut microbiota at the genus-level was associated with increased postprandial fullness (p < 0.05 for all indices), with clues that this association varied significantly between groups according to meal type (p = 0.02 for the inverse-Simpson index and p = 0.07 for the other indices), indicating a positive correlation only in the control group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Gut microbiota alpha diversity at the genus level appears to be associated with the subjective sensation of fullness after a meal, and this association may vary depending on the ultra-processed food content of the meal. This finding warrants further investigation due to the exploratory nature of this study.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration number</h3><div>RBR-56nsh92 (<span><span>https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-56nsh92</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10352,"journal":{"name":"Clinical nutrition ESPEN","volume":"69 ","pages":"Pages 722-732"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical nutrition ESPEN","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405457725029146","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"NUTRITION & DIETETICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Obesity and the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) are associated with gut microbiota composition and diversity, which may contribute to alterations in the regulation of hormones involved in satiety, given the gut microbiota's role in regulating host appetite. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of gut microbiota composition and alpha-diversity at the genus-level on postprandial changes in satiety hormones, and appetitive measures in individuals with obesity, given either a meal rich in UPF or a meal without UPF.
Methods
Individuals were randomized to two groups: a) a non-UPF meal and b) a UPF meal. Both meals were matched for energy, energy density, macronutrients, fiber, and sodium content. The gut microbiota composition was analyzed using DNA metabarcoding and 16S rRNA sequencing. Alpha-diversity was assessed using the Shannon, Simpson's, and Inverse-Simpson indices at the genus level. Blood samples for hormonal (ghrelin, leptin, and GIP) and appetitive measures (hunger, satiety, fullness, and capacity to eat) were taken using visual analog scales after a 12-h fast and 90 min post-meal.
Results
Twenty individuals were included in the UPF group, and 19 were in the control group, with no significant differences in gut microbiota composition or alpha-diversity indices between the groups. All hormone concentrations and appetitive measures varied significantly over time, regardless of the type of meal. A greater alpha-diversity of gut microbiota at the genus-level was associated with increased postprandial fullness (p < 0.05 for all indices), with clues that this association varied significantly between groups according to meal type (p = 0.02 for the inverse-Simpson index and p = 0.07 for the other indices), indicating a positive correlation only in the control group.
Conclusion
Gut microbiota alpha diversity at the genus level appears to be associated with the subjective sensation of fullness after a meal, and this association may vary depending on the ultra-processed food content of the meal. This finding warrants further investigation due to the exploratory nature of this study.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Nutrition ESPEN is an electronic-only journal and is an official publication of the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). Nutrition and nutritional care have gained wide clinical and scientific interest during the past decades. The increasing knowledge of metabolic disturbances and nutritional assessment in chronic and acute diseases has stimulated rapid advances in design, development and clinical application of nutritional support. The aims of ESPEN are to encourage the rapid diffusion of knowledge and its application in the field of clinical nutrition and metabolism. Published bimonthly, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN focuses on publishing articles on the relationship between nutrition and disease in the setting of basic science and clinical practice. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN is available to all members of ESPEN and to all subscribers of Clinical Nutrition.