Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a Gram-negative and strictly anaerobic bacterium, one of the most abundant common bacterial species in the colon of healthy humans, accounting for approximately 5% (up to 15%) of the total intestinal microbiome. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii belongs to the phylum Firmicutes and is a member of the Clostridium leptum complex.
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one of the most crucial butyric acid producers in the gastrointestinal tract. Butyric acid plays a vital role in gut physiology. It has pleiotropic effects on the life cycle of gut cells and numerous beneficial health effects, including protection against pathogen invasion, immune system regulation, and reduction in cancer progression.
As a major member of the human microbiome, F. prausnitzii is a multi-tool organism. This bacterium has various biological functions, including modulating the immune response, suppressing inflammation, and promoting intestinal barrier integrity.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Clinical studies have demonstrated that F. prausnitzii is a bacterium with anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have shown that reducing the abundance of F. prausnitzii can reduce gut protection against inflammatory responses. This defense mechanism probably involves stimulating active molecules to secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines while inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion.
Strengthening the function of the intestinal barrier
Establishing the integrity of the intestinal mucosa is essential for the development and maturation of the intestine. This is necessary for the absorption of nutrients and to prevent the entry of bacteria and food antigens into the underlying tissues. Metabolites released by F. prausnitzii have been shown to reduce the severity of inflammation by improving intestinal barrier function, affecting paracellular permeability, i.e., the permeability of epithelial cells, and strengthening intestinal mucus barrier function.
Metabolites of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
Although the anti-inflammatory property of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii has been confirmed, the exact active molecules and their mechanism have not been fully elucidated. As a consumer of acetic acid, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii can produce anti-inflammatory molecules such as butyric and salicylic acids. A growing body of literature reports that the primary metabolite of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, butyric acid, plays a vital role in its anti-inflammatory activity. Butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by intestinal microorganisms that ferment dietary fiber. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is one of the intestine's primary producers of butyric acid. Butyric acid provides energy (5-15% of total calories) to the host and regulates the immune system, protecting the host from pathogens.
Salicylic acid is another metabolic product with anti-inflammatory activity produced by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. As potent regulators of the inflammatory process, salicylic acid, like butyric acid, can also block NF-κB activation to inhibit IL-8 production.
In addition, F. prausnitzii can secrete other anti-inflammatory substances besides butyric and salicylic acids. Another anti-inflammatory substance produced by F. prausnitzii, microbial anti-inflammatory molecule (MAM), can inhibit NF-κB activation in vitro and in vivo. MAM could generally reach the whole body and play an essential role in regulating inflammatory processes and anatomical locations outside the gut.
Diseases associated with Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
Research has revealed that the abundance of F. prausnitzii is low in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients. A reduction in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii has been reported to be associated with an increase in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Its reduction has been observed in patients with colon cancer compared to healthy controls.
Other diseases that have been associated with a reduced presence of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii include:
- Obesity
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- Diseases of the nervous system (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder)
The role of Faecalibacterium is being investigated in several other diseases such as chronic heart failure, cardiometabolic diseases, arthritis in children, rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure, Sjögren's syndrome, celiac disease, psoriasis, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, prostate cancer, chronic pancreatitis, atopic dermatitis. The interesting point in most studies is lower relative abundance in patients compared to healthy controls.
What foods increase levels of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii?
Eating the typical Western diet high in meat, sugar, animal fat, and processed foods and a low-fiber diet reduces F. prausnitzii levels, while a high-fiber, low-meat diet can increase them. Therefore, the abundance of F. prausnitzii can be regulated through prebiotics and/or dietary supplements. F. prausnitzii utilizes fibers such as inulin, arabinoxylans, resistant starch, fructans, and pectins. Treatment with inulin-type fructans and fructooligosaccharides has increased levels of F. prausnitzii. An increase in F. prausnitzii was also reported with red wine consumption. Thus, increasing the consumption of apples with their skin, kiwifruit, unripe bananas, onion, leek, and garlic can improve the abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in the gut.
The quantitative determination of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and the rest of the EnteroScan® findings enables us to determine the most appropriate, personalized nutritional program for Microbiome Nutrition and Microbiome Therapy. This program aims to improve the composition and functions of the intestinal microbiome. By balancing the intestinal microbiome, we can achieve optimal physical and mental health levels in the human body.
