Deakin University, IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Food & Mood Centre, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Geelong, Australia.
Eating and Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Cambelltown, Australia.
Int J Eat Disord. 2023 Nov;56(11):2001-2011. doi: 10.1002/eat.24033. Epub 2023 Aug 7.
The gut microbiota is implicated in several symptoms and biological pathways relevant to anorexia nervosa (AN). Investigations into the role of the gut microbiota in AN are growing, with a specific interest in the changes that occur in response to treatment. Findings suggest that microbial species may be associated with some of the symptoms common in AN, such as depression and gastrointestinal disturbances (GID). Therefore, researchers believe the gut microbiota may have therapeutic relevance. Whilst research in this field is rapidly expanding, the unique considerations relevant to conducting gut microbiota research in individuals with AN must be addressed.
We provide an overview of the published literature investigating the relationship between the gut microbiota and symptoms and behaviors present in AN, discuss important challenges in gut microbiota research, and offer recommendations for addressing these. We conclude by summarizing research design priorities for the field to move forward.
Several ways exist to reduce participant burden and accommodate challenges when researching the gut microbiota in individuals with AN.
Recommendations from this article are foreseen to encourage scientific rigor and thoughtful protocol planning for microbiota research in AN, including ways to reduce participant burden. Employing such methods will contribute to a better understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in AN pathophysiology and treatment.
The field of gut microbiota research is rapidly expanding, including the role of the gut microbiota in anorexia nervosa. Thoughtful planning of future research will ensure appropriate data collection for meaningful interpretation while providing a positive experience for the participant. We present current challenges, recommendations for research design and priorities to facilitate the advancement of research in this field.
肠道微生物群与神经性厌食症（AN）相关的多种症状和生物学途径有关。对肠道微生物群在 AN 中的作用的研究正在增加，特别关注治疗反应中发生的变化。研究结果表明，微生物物种可能与 AN 中一些常见的症状有关，如抑郁和胃肠道紊乱（GID）。因此，研究人员认为肠道微生物群可能具有治疗相关性。尽管该领域的研究正在迅速扩展，但必须解决在 AN 个体中进行肠道微生物群研究的独特考虑因素。
我们概述了已发表的文献，调查了肠道微生物群与 AN 中存在的症状和行为之间的关系，讨论了肠道微生物群研究中的重要挑战，并提供了解决这些挑战的建议。最后，我们总结了该领域前进的研究设计重点。
存在几种方法可以减轻参与者的负担并适应在 AN 个体中研究肠道微生物群时的挑战。
本文的建议预计将鼓励在 AN 中进行微生物组研究的科学严谨性和精心的方案规划，包括减轻参与者负担的方法。采用这些方法将有助于更好地了解肠道微生物群在 AN 发病机制和治疗中的作用。
肠道微生物群研究领域正在迅速扩展，包括肠道微生物群在神经性厌食症中的作用。未来研究的精心规划将确保适当的数据收集，以便进行有意义的解释，同时为参与者提供积极的体验。我们提出了当前的挑战、研究设计建议和优先事项，以促进该领域的研究进展。
