The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio of the human gut microbiota is associated with prostate enlargement. Issue 16 (13th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takezawa, Kentaro; Fujita, Kazutoshi; Matsushita, Makoto; Motooka, Daisuke; Hatano, Koji; Banno, Eri; Shimizu, Nobutaka; Takao, Tetsuya; Takada, Shingo; Okada, Koichi; Fukuhara, Shinichiro; Kiuchi, Hiroshi; Uemura, Hirotsugu; Nakamura, Shota; Kojima, Yoshiyuki; Nonomura, Norio
• Is Part Of: Prostate. Volume 81:Issue 16(2021)
• Page Start: 1287
• Page End: 1293
• Publication Date: 2021-09-13
• Subjects: bacteria -- benign prostatic hyperplasia -- microbiome; Prostate -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/pros.24223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0270-4137

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The pathophysiology of the prostate enlargement underlying lower urinary tract symptoms is unknown. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota can contribute to various host conditions. We hypothesized that the gut microbiota plays a role in prostate enlargement. Methods: We included 128 patients who underwent prostate biopsies at our hospitals between December 2018 and March 2020, excluding those who had used antibiotics within the past 6 months and those who were diagnosed with prostate cancer of cT3 or higher. Patients with prostate volumes ≥30 ml were defined as the prostate‐enlargement (PE) group; those with prostate volumes <30 ml were defined as the non‐PE group. Their gut microbiotas were analyzed via 16S rRNA metagenomic analyses of rectal swab samples and were compared between the groups. Results: The PE group included 66 patients; the non‐PE group included 62 patients. Age, body mass index, and prostate‐specific antigen levels did not significantly differ between the groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated a higher proportion of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria in the PE group and a higher proportion of Bacteroidetes in the non‐PE group. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was significantly higher in the PE group than in the non‐PE group (2.21 ± 0.39 vs. 1.61 ± 0.40, p = 0.015). Conclusion: The F/B ratio of the gut microbiota was associated with prostate enlargement. Although the detailed mechanisms are unclear, the gut microbiota might affect prostate enlargement.