Changes in Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients Following Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Abstract

Purpose

Radioactive iodine therapy is administered through oral route, which is accumulated and absorbed in the intestine. However, its effects on the intestine remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites following radioactive iodine therapy.

Patients and Methods

A total of 76 stool samples from the same 38 patients were collected at the start of radioactive iodine therapy and three days following the therapy. Stool microbiota and metabolites were detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Results

Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia-Shigella were elevated in most patients (27/38) following the therapy. The levels of 2-hydroxyundec-7-enoylcarnitine were significantly lower, whereas those of 5-dehydroavenasterol, butylisopropylamine, and salsoline-1-carboxylate were higher following the therapy. The relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella was negatively correlated with 2-hydroxyundec-7-enoylcarnitine level (r² = −0.661, P = 0.009). Functional pathways were predicted to be involved in amino acid and lipid metabolism following the therapy. Particularly, phenylalanine, linoleic acid, sphingolipid, purine, and alpha-linolenic acid metabolism were the main metabolic pathways.

Conclusion

Gut microbiota was disturbed following radioactive iodine therapy, with increased Escherichia-Shigella. Processes associated with energy production seems to be impacted following the therapy, with significantly decreased 2-hydroxyundec-7-enoylcarnitine level. Meanwhile, some metabolites and functional pathways may have a positive effect on intestinal homeostasis, and may be related to the repair and promotion of gut recovery following the therapy. This study provides a basic foundation to explore how radioactive iodine affects gut microbiota and metabolites, and how gut function is regulated in response to radioactive iodine therapy.

Keywords:

• radioactive iodine
• gut microbiota
• Escherichia-Shigella
• metabolism
• thyroid carcinoma

Data Sharing Statement

The raw data in the study are available in Bioproject with accession number PRJNA889594 or upon reasonable request from the corresponding author JY.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University (approval number: K-K176) in accordance with the guidelines of the World Medical Association and the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the volunteers who participated in this study and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82030058) for their support.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; all authors took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; all authors gave final approval of the version to be published; all authors have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number: 82030058).