The purpose of this study is to explore how the dietary supplement L-Phenylalanine affects the production of the metabolite phenylpropionic acid (PPA) and changes fungal populations of the gut microbiome.
The human gastrointestinal tract hosts a diverse microbial community that has a role in influencing the host's pathophysiological responses. Although there is an abundance of metagenomic data available, the functional dynamics of the gut microbiota still need exploration in different conditions. The microbiota produces various metabolites from dietary products, impacting both host health and pathophysiological functions. The metabolites produced by different microbiota may selectively suppress or stimulate the growth of some components of the gut microbiome, ultimately influencing the dynamic of gut bacterial and fungal populations. Our lab is specifically interested in a metabolite, known as phenylpropionic acid (PPA) produced by a human gut resident bacteria known as Clostridium sporogenes. C. sporogenes produces PPA by metabolizing the amino acid, L-phenylalanine, which is sourced from human diet. Many studies have observed the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of PPA. Our lab determined PPA holds antifungal activity of PPA in the gut of mice colonized with Candida albicans. We are interested in investigating how diversity in the mycobiota populations, which focuses on the fungi species in the human gut, are related to changes in PPA levels. Therefore, this study will asses whether additional oral supplementation of L-phenylalanine has an effect on the way gut mycobiota responds to this amino acid. Healthy subjects received a 14-day supply of L-phenylalanine supplements and provided stool and blood samples to the study team.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
500 mg Veg Capsule product
Belfer Research Building
New York, New York, United States
RECRUITINGChanges in phenylpropionic acid levels from baseline in subject fecal material
Metabolite phenylpropionic acid levels will be measured using mass spectrometry before (baseline) and after intervention
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2 (Day 14)
Change in fungal population levels, specifically gut Candida levels, from baseline in subject fecal material and swabs
Fungal populations, including Candida, will be measured using microbiota sequencing before (baseline) and after intervention. The most abundant fungal populations will be reported; however, the identity of those populations won't be known until sample analysis.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2 (Day 14)
Change in the number of T cells that react to fungal antigens from baseline in subject blood samples
Blood will be processed through ELISA-based and in vitro restimulation assays to measure T cell reactivity to fungal antigens
Time frame: Baseline, Week 2 (Day 14)
Change in phenylpropionic acid levels from baseline in subject fecal material
Metabolite phenylpropionic acid levels will be measured using mass spectrometry before (baseline) and after intervention
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Day 28)
Change in fungal population levels, specifically gut Candida levels, from baseline in subject fecal material
Fungal populations, including Candida, will be measured using microbiota sequencing before (baseline) and after intervention. The most abundant fungal populations will be reported; however, the identity of those populations won't be known until sample analysis.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Day 28)
Change in the number of T cells that react to fungal antigens from baseline in subject blood samples
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Blood will be processed through ELISA-based and in vitro restimulation assays to measure T cell reactivity to fungal antigens
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Day 28)