Habitual coarse grain intake, gut microbiota, and hyperuricemia in individuals with or at risk of metabolic syndrome: A post-hoc analysis

Abstract

Background and aims: Grain intake and gut microbiota are associated with uric acid regulation, but it remains unknown which grains benefit more and how gut microbiota may interact with the effects. This post-hoc analysis evaluated the associations between 8 specific coarse grains intakes and hyperuricemia, and explored the roles of gut microbiota.

Methods and results: Gut microbial data and dietary information of 295 participants with or at risk of metabolic syndrome were characterized by 16 S rRNA sequencing and a food frequency questionnaire, respectively. The higher intakes of buckwheat, black rice, and black bean were associated with lower plasma uric acid levels (P < 0.05). Inverse associations were observed between the intake of oat, black rice, and black bean and hyperuricemia, with odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) comparing extreme tertiles were 0.179 (0.027,0.664), 0.147 (0.023,0.539), and 0.395 (0.057,1.632) (all P trend<0.05). The abundance of Flavonifractor was higher, whereas that of Monoglobus was lower in hyperuricemia patients. Moreover, Monoglobus showed a potentially mediation effects on the black rice-uric acid association.

Conclusion: Our study identified associations between four specific coarse grains and hyperuricemia among individuals with or at risk of metabolic syndrome. Gut microbiota, notably Monoglobus may be involved in the association.

Keywords: Black rice; Coarse grains; Gut microbiota; Hyperuricemia; Uric acid.