The human endogenous intestinal microbiota is an essential “organ” in providing nourishment, regulating epithelial development, and instructing innate immunity. Even though lots of scientists have evaluated the content of gut microbiota from various points of view, we examined the content of intestinal microbes in the group of healthy middle aged volunteers (40–60) form Slovakia. We have compared faecal cultivable microbiota of vegetarians and omnivores. We have found that the composition of the human microbiota is fairly stable, and it seems that the major microbial groups on species level that dominate the human intestine are conserved in all individuals regardless of dietary habits. Beside the microbial content we have examined the faecal samples also for the presence of antimicrobial active compounds, potential mutagens, and faecal sterols.
Browne, H.P., Forster, S.C., Anonye, B.O., Kumar, N., Neville, B.A., Stares, M.D., Goulding, D. & Lawley, T.D. (2016): Culturing of ‘unculturable’ human microbiota reveals novel taxa and extensive sporulation. Nature,, 533(7604), 543–546.
Burkitt, D.P. (1978): Colonic-rectal cancer: fiber and other dietary factors. Am. J. Clin. Nutr.,, 31(10), S58–S64.
Delorme, C. (2008): Safety assessment of dairy microorganisms: Streptococcus thermophilus. Int. J. Food. Microbiol.,, 126(3), 274–277.
Gill, S.R., Pop, M., Deboy, R.T., Eckburg, P.B., Turnbaugh, P.J., Samuel, B.S., Gordon, J.I., Relman, D.A., Fraser-Liggett, C.M. & Nelson, K.E. (2006): Metagenomic analysis of the human distal gut microbiome. Science,, 312, 1355–1359.
Hold, G.L., Pryde, S.E., Russell, V.J., Furrie, E. & Flint, H.J. (2002): Assessment of microbial diversity in human colonic samples by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol.,, 39, 33–39.
Hooper, L.V. (2009): Do symbiotic bacteria subvert host immunity? Nat. Rev. Microbiol.,, 7, 367–374.
Keller, S. & Jahreis, G. (2004): Determination of underivatised sterols and bile acid trimethyl silyl ether methyl esters by gas chromatography mass spectrometry single ion monitoring in faeces. J. Chromatogr. B.,, 813(1), 199–207.
Lopetuso, L.R., Scaldaferri, F., Petito, V. & Gasbarrini, A. (2013): Commensal Clostridia: leading players in the maintenance of gut homeostasis. Gut pathog.,, 14, 31–33.
Lye, H.S., Rusul, G. & Liong, M.T. (2010): Removal of cholesterol by lactobacilli via incorporation and conversion to coprostanol. J. Dairy Sci.,, 93, 1383–1392.
Maron., D. & Ames, B. (1983): Revised methods for the Salmonella mutagenicity test. Mutat. Res.,, 113, 173–215.
Metchnikoff, E. (1903): Etudes sur la nature humaine: essai de philosophie optimiste (Studies on human nature: optimistic philosophy essay). Masson, Paris. 397 pages
Metchnikoff, E. (1907): The prolongation of life. GP Putman’s Sons, New York. 380 pages
Mitsuoka, T. & Hayakawa, K. (1972): Die Faecalflora bei Menschen. I. Die Zusammensetzung der Faecalflora der verschiedenen Altersgruppen., Zbl. Bakt. Mik. Hyg. I., Abt. A,, 223, 333–342.
O’Hara, A.M. & Shanahan, F. (2006): The gut flora as a forgotten organ. EMBO Rep.,, 7, 688–693.
Peuchant, E., Salles, C. & Jensen, R. (1987): Relationship between fecal neutral steroid concentrations and malignancy in colon cells. Cancer,, 60, 994–999.
Ren, D., Li, L., Schwabacher, A.W., Young, J.W. & Beitz, D.C. (1996): Mechanism of cholesterol reduction to coprostanol by Eubacterium coprostanoligenes ATCC 51222. Steroids,, 61, 33–40.
Salzman, N.H., Underwood, M.A. & Bevins, C.L. (2007): Paneth cells, defensins, and the commensal microbiota: a hypothesis on intimate interplay at the intestinal mucosa. Semin. Immunol.,, 19, 70–83.
Scaldaferri, F., Pizzoferrato, M., Gerardi, V., Lopetuso, L. & Gasbarrini, A. (2012): The gut barrier: new acquisitions and therapeutic approaches. J. Clin. Gastroenterol.,, 46, 12–17.
Sears, C.L. (2005): A dynamic partnership: Celebrating our gut flora. Anaerobe,, 11(5), 247–251.
Segal, L. & Blaser, M. (2014): A brave new world: The lung microbiota in an era of change. Ann. Am. Thorac. Soc.,, 11, 21–27.
Sekirov, I., Russell, S.L., Antunes, L.C.M. & Finlay, B.B. (2010): Gut microbiota in health and disease. Physiol. Rev.,, 90(3), 859–890.
Stephen, A.M. & Cummings, J.H. (1980): The microbial contribution to human faecal mass. J. Med. Microbiol.,, 13, 45–56.
ŠAková, N., Olejníková, P., Kalináková,, B,, Pangallo, D., Lakatoš, B., Nagyová, K., Valachovicová, M. & Birošová, L. (2015): Comparative study of adult Slovak vegetarians and meat-eaters gut microflora. J. Food. Nutr. Res.,, 54(3), 260–269.
Veiga, P., Juste, C., Lepercq, P., Saunier, K., Béguet, F. & Gérard, P. (2005): Correlation between faecal microbial community structure and cholesterol-to-coprostanol conversion in the human gut. FEMS Microbiol. Lett.,, 242(1), 81–86.