Role of maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy in childhood obesity

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K00577
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental impact assessment
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Sakurai Kenichi 千葉大学, 予防医学センター, 准教授 (80323434)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 江口 哲史 千葉大学, 予防医学センター, 助教 (70595826)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内細菌叢 / 肥満 / 小児

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the roles of maternal gut microbiota during pregnancy in maternal and fetal obesity-related factors in a birth cohort study. Maternal gut microbiota did not show significant difference between early and late period during pregnancy. There were correlations between the diversity of maternal gut microbiota or occupancy of specific phyla or genera and maternal glucose metabolism during pregnancy We also found correlations of the diversity of maternal gut microbiota with fetal development or blood adipokine concentrations. It is suggested that the maternal gut microbiota may affect obesity-related factors in the fetus as well as in the mother itself.

Free Research Field

内分泌代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

妊娠中の母体腸内細菌叢が胎児の肥満関連因子に与える影響について知見を追加することができた。DOHaD学説では妊娠中の母体栄養状態や環境汚染物質曝露による児への影響が成長後にも続くことが示されている。本研究では腸内細菌叢も要因の一つとなりうることを示すことができた。プロバイオティクスなど腸内細菌叢への介入も含めて次世代の健康を守る取り組みへの一助となると思われる。