Health, Canada (Commonwealth Union) – Diet is known to play a significant role in shaping the composition of the microbiome. A diet rich in fiber and diverse in plant-based foods promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria.
The emerging field of microbiome research continues to uncover the multifaceted impact of these microscopic communities on human health. As we gain a deeper understanding of the microbiome’s role, there is growing recognition of the need to prioritize its well-being. Adopting a microbiome-friendly diet, avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use, and promoting a balanced lifestyle are integral steps toward nurturing a thriving microbiome and, consequently, supporting overall health and well-being.
A recent study conducted by Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University, published in the journal Microbiome, has identified a connection between alterations in the microbiome across various bodily locations and the development of kidney stones.
Comprising trillions of microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria, the human microbiome has become a focal point of research in recent years as its role in health and various diseases is gradually unveiled. Recognizing this significance other researchers in recent years have developed a new tool to model the microbiome.
In their investigation, the research team analyzed the microbiomes in the gut, urinary tract, and saliva of 83 individuals with kidney stones, comparing them to 30 healthy controls. The findings revealed that changes in all three microbiomes were associated with the formation of kidney stones.
“Kidney stone disease has been rising in recent years, affecting roughly 10 per cent of people,” explained Dr. Jeremy Burton, Lawson Scientist and Research Chair of Human Microbiome and Probiotics at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s).
The study participants comprised individuals who had developed kidney stones, had not been exposed to antibiotics in the past 90 days, and were undergoing surgical removal of the stones at St. Joseph’s.
Dr. Kait Al, the lead author of the study and Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, explains that their testing method, known as shotgun metagenomic sequencing, enabled the identification of bacteria in the gut and their genetic capabilities, shedding light on how they function. Additionally, simpler sequencing was conducted on oral and urinary samples.
Traditionally, kidney stones are primarily believed to form from calcium oxalate, a waste product produced by the body. It was previously hypothesized that individuals with specific gut microbes, such as the bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes, which breaks down oxalate, were less prone to developing kidney stones. However, this study indicates the existence of other contributing factors.
“It’s a more complex story. The microbes form a kind of network that’s stable and beneficial in healthy people, but in those with kidney stones, that network is broken down. They’re not producing the same vitamins and useful metabolites, not just in the gut but also in the urinary tract and oral cavity,” said Dr. Al.
Furthermore, there was evidence indicating that individuals with kidney stones had a higher exposure to antimicrobials, as reflected by an increased presence of antibiotic-resistant genes.
“We found not only that those who got kidney stones had an unhealthy microbiome, including a gut microbiome that was more likely to excrete toxins to the kidneys, but also that they were antibiotic resistant,” said Dr. Burton, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
The research team emphasizes the need for further investigation, but these initial findings underscore the overall significance of maintaining a healthy microbiome. Adopting a microbiome-friendly diet and minimizing antibiotic usage may be potential components of the solution, according to the researchers.
Funding for the study was provided in part by the Weston Foundation, and support was received from the American Urological Association.
