Comparative assessment of the colonic microbiota composition in adolescents with obesity and normal body weight

Introduction. Obesity in adolescents is a global medical and social problem associated with a progressive increase in incidence. The role of structural changes in the colonic microbial community in the pathogenesis of exogenous-constitutional obesity in adolescents remains insufficiently studied, and data on characteristic taxonomic alterations are contradictory.

Aim. To study the characteristics of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the colonic microbiota in adolescents with obesity and normal body weight.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted. The main group consisted of 20 adolescents aged 12–17 years with obesity (BMI SDS ≥ +2.0), and the control group consisted of 20 adolescents with normal body weight. The taxonomic composition of the microbiota was examined by real-time PCR using the “Colonoflor-16” test system. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann – Whitney and Fisher tests.

Results. Compared to the control group, changes in the taxonomic composition of the microbiota in adolescents with obesity were characterized by a significant decrease in total bacterial mass and the abundance of key symbionts, including Bifidobacterium spp. A decrease in the level of Lactobacillus spp. was observed in both study groups without statistically significant intergroup differences. A deficiency of butyrate producers and key participants in fiber fermentation was identified, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium rectale, and Akkermansia muciniphila, as well as a trend toward a decrease in Roseburia inulinivorans, Ruminococcus spp., Prevotella spp., and Blautia spp. Concurrently, an increase was recorded in the abundance of Bacteroides spp., opportunistic pathogens (Enterobacter spp., Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp.), and the Bacteroides spp. / Faecalibacterium prausnitzii ratio. In the main group of adolescents, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter spp., and fungi of the genus Candida were detected.

Conclusion. Adolescents with obesity exhibit a specific pro-inflammatory profile of the colonic microbiota, characterized by depletion of symbionts, deficiency of butyrate producers, and overgrowth of opportunistic taxa. The obtained data identify potential targets for personalized microbiome correction in the comprehensive therapy of obesity.

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