Urinary organic acids spectra in children with altered gut microbiota composition and autistic spectrum disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Alteration of human gut microbiota is described in a number of neuro-developmental and cognitive disorders including autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Along with the changes in the gut microbiota, children with ASD are also reported to have changes in urinary organic acid spectra implying these metabolites as potential biomarkers for gastrointestinal dysbiosis.

Aim: Identify urinary metabolites that would indicate specific changes in the gut microbiota and could be useful as biomarkers.

Methods: The study group consisted of 44 children with ASD. Urinary organic acids spectra and composition of gut microbiota were analysed.

Results: Any significant deviation in quantified metabolites compared to the reference values were not confirmed. The main variations were detected in concentration of p-cresol and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA), but we cannot confirm the presence of HPHPA in urine as a biomarker for Clostridium sp. overgrowth in the gut. The acquired results indicate higher relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum alone may be attributed to increased concentration of p-cresol in urine. Decreased Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio was found in the group with the presence of HPHPA in urine.

Conclusions: Metabolites of human urine can be used as biomarkers for alterations of gut microbiota with caution, guided treatment should be administrated only based on gut microbiota analysis results or in combination with urinary organic acid results, but not solely based on organic acid biomarkers.

Keywords:

• ASD
• gut microbiota
• urinary organic acids
• biomarkers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Latvian Council of Science Grant No. lzp-2018/2-0343 “Biomarkers of altered gut microbiome in children with autism spectra disorders.