Gut Microbiota Profile and Its Association with Clinical Variables and Dietary Intake in Overweight/Obese and Lean Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

We aimed to differentiate gut microbiota composition of overweight/obese and lean subjects and to determine its association with clinical variables and dietary intake. A cross-sectional study was performed with 96 overweight/obese subjects and 32 lean subjects. Anthropometric parameters were positively associated with <i>Collinsella aerofaciens</i>, <i>Dorea formicigenerans</i> and <i>Dorea longicatena</i>, which had higher abundance the overweight/obese subjects. Moreover, different genera of <i>Lachnospiraceae</i> were negatively associated with body fat, LDL and total cholesterol. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were negatively associated with the genus <i>Intestinimonas</i>, a biomarker of the overweight/obese group, whereas SFAs were positively associated with <i>Roseburia</i>, a biomarker for the lean group. In conclusion, <i>Dorea formicigenerans</i>, <i>Dorea longicatena</i> and <i>Collinsella aerofaciens</i> could be considered obesity biomarkers, Lachnospiraceae is associated with lipid cardiovascular risk factors. SFAs exhibited opposite association profiles with butyrate-producing bacteria depending on the BMI. Thus, the relationship between diet and microbiota opens new tools for the management of obesity.