AUTHOR=Sheng Shifeng , Chen Jingfeng , Zhang Yuheng , Qin Qian , Li Weikang , Yan Su , Wang Youxiang , Li Tiantian , Gao Xinxin , Tang Lin , Li Ang , Ding Suying TITLE=Structural and Functional Alterations of Gut Microbiota in Males With Hyperuricemia and High Levels of Liver Enzymes JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.779994 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2021.779994 ISSN=2296-858X ABSTRACT=Objective To investigate the correlation between the structure and function alterations of gut microbiota and biochemical indicators in persons with hyperuricemia (HUA) and high levels of liver enzymes, in order to provide new evidence and therapeutic targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HUA. Methods A total of 69 HUA patients (HUA group) and 118 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Their age, height, waist circumference, weight and pressure were measured. The clinical parameters such as FBG, AST, ALT, SUA, Scr, TC, TG, LDL, HDL, WBC, PLT, NEUT were examined. We used whole-genome shotgun sequencing technology and HUMAnN2 MetaCyc pathway database to detect the composition and pathways of the gut microbiota. The main statistical methods were student’s t test, chi square tests and wilcoxon rank sum test.The correlations among bacterial diversity, microbial pathways and biochemical indicators were evaluated by the R function “cor.test” with spearman method. Results The gut bacterial diversity in HUA group was reduced significantly and the community of the microbiota was also of significant difference between the two groups. The pathways that can produce 5-aminoimidazole ribonucleotide(PWY-6122, PWY-6277 and PWY-6121), romatic amino acids and chorismate(COMPLETE-ARO-PWY, ARO-PWY and PWY-6163) were enriched in the HUA group; the pathways that can produce SCFAs(CENTFERM-PWY and PWY-6590) and the gut microbiotas that can produce SCFAs(Roseburia hominis, Odoribacter splanchnicus, Ruminococcus callidus, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 3_1_46FAA, Bacteroides uniformis, Butyricimonas synergistica) and equol(Adlercreutzia equolifaciens) were enriched in healthy control. Conclusion The structure and function of the gut microbiota in the HUA and high levels of liver enzymes have altered apparently. In-depth study of related mechanisms may provide new ideas for the treatment of HUA.