Modulation of the gut microbiome and resistome by antibiotic use, but not by subsequent 2'-fucosyllactose intake, in adults with overweight or obesity.
Lars M M Vliex, Iúri F Godinho Mimoso, Giang N Le et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention examined gut microbiome and resistome changes in 18 adults with overweight or obesity after seven days of vancomycin, followed by eight weeks of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) or placebo. Vancomycin reduced microbial richness and diversity (p < 0.001) and altered microbial composition. Eight-week 2′-FL supplementation did not improve microbiome recovery compared with placebo. Vancomycin did not change resistome richness or diversity, although the presence of specific antibiotic resistance genes changed; 2′-FL had no detected differential effect on resistome measures.
Key findings
- Seven-day vancomycin use disrupted microbial richness and diversity (p < 0.001) and changed gut microbial composition.
- Eight weeks of 2′-FL supplementation did not improve microbial recovery compared with placebo.
- Vancomycin did not affect resistome richness or diversity, but the presence of specific antibiotic resistance genes changed.
- No differential effect of 2′-FL was detected on resistome richness, diversity, or composition.
Why it matters
The findings distinguish substantial antibiotic-associated microbiome disruption from the more limited detected changes in resistome richness and diversity. They also indicate that 2′-FL, in this study and population, did not measurably improve microbiome recovery or alter resistome outcomes. This helps frame the uncertainty around prebiotic supplementation as a way to mitigate antibiotic-associated gut effects.
What to keep in mind
The analysis included 18 adults with overweight or obesity, a subset of the randomized intervention, limiting the population and sample size represented.