Roles of phytochemicals and gut microbiota in "health transition" of contemporary humans

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K21443
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 45:Biology at organismal to population levels and anthropology, and related fields
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Umezaki Masahiro 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (30292725)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-07-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ファイトケミカル / 非感染性疾患 / 健康転換

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In mountainous regions of Southeast Asia, the people have consumed substantial amount of wild plants, which probably have contributed to suppress oxidative stress/inflammation due to the effect of phytochemicals. We hypothesized that 'nutritional transition' in the regions is partly attributable to the longitudinal reduction in phytochemicals consumption and the change in the gut microbiota. The survey was conducted in three villages in the northern mountainous region of Laos. In addition to questionnaire surveys for dietary habits and physical activity, fecal, urine, scalp hair and DBS samples were collected. Biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation and gut microbiota were evaluated. The major findings were reported in five papers that were published in international journals.

Free Research Field

人類生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ラオスの農村部で非感染性疾患が増加する背景として、ファイトケミカル（抗酸化物質のひとつ）を多く含む野生植物の摂取量が減少していること、食生活の変容にともなう腸内細菌叢の変化に加えて、重金属暴露、酸化ストレスがかかわっている可能性を示した。現代社会では甘く柔らかい野菜が好まれるが、非感染性疾患のリスク低減のためには、可食野生植物を活用することも考えるべきだろう。