Early-life stress and the gut microbiome: A comprehensive population-based investigation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2024.02.024
• Publication Date: 2024-02-23T08:27:03Z
• Authors: Rosa H. Mulder; Robert Kraaij; Isabel K. Schuurmans; Carlos Frances-Cu...; Yolanda Sanz; Carolina Medina-G...; Liesbeth Duijts; Fernando Rivadeneira; Henning Tiemeier; Vincent W.V. Jaddoe; Janine F. Felix; Charlotte A.M. Cecil
• Keywords: Gut microbiome

Early-life stress (ELS) has been robustly associated with a range of poor mental and physical health outcomes. Recent studies implicate the gut microbiome in stress-related mental, cardio-metabolic immune problems, but research on humans is scarce thus far often based small, selected samples, using retrospective reports ELS. We examined associations between ELS human large, population-based study children. was measured prospectively from birth to 10 years age 2,004 children Generation R Study. studied overall ELS, as well unique effects five different domains, including life events, contextual risk, parental interpersonal direct victimization. Stool assessed 16S rRNA sequencing at data were analyzed multiple levels (i.e. α- β-diversity indices, individual genera predicted functional pathways). In addition, we explored potential mediators ELS-microbiome associations, diet 8 body mass index years. While no observed (composite score domains) after testing correction, risk – specific domain related socio-economic stress, factors such financial difficulties low maternal education significantly variability. This lower α-diversity, β-diversity, pathways involved, amongst others, tryptophan biosynthesis. These part mediated by quality, pro-inflammatory diet, fiber intake, (BMI). results suggest that adversity not early less diverse general population, this association may be explained poorer higher BMI. Future needed test causality establish whether modifiable could used mitigate negative consequences.