Butyric Acid Supplementation Reduces Changes in the Taxonomic and Functional Composition of Gut Microbiota Caused by H. pylori Eradication Therapy

H. pylori eradication therapy leads to significant changes in the gut microbiome, including influence on the gut microbiome’s functional potential. Probiotics are one of the most studied potential methods for reducing the microbiota-related consequences of antibiotics. However, the beneficial effects of probiotics are still under discussion. In addition, there are some concerns about the safety of probiotics, emphasizing the need for research of other therapeutic interventions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of butyric acid+inulin supplements on gut microbiota changes (the gut microbiota composition, abundance of metabolic pathways, and gut resistome) caused by H. pylori eradication therapy. Materials and methods. Twenty two H. pylori-positive patients, aged 19 to 64 years, were enrolled in the study and randomized into two treatment groups, as follows: (1) ECAB-14 (n = 11), with esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and bismuthate tripotassium dicitrate 240 mg, twice daily, per os, for 14 days, and (2), ECAB-Z-14 (n = 11), with esomeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 500 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg, and bismuthate tripotassium dicitrate 240 mg, twice daily, along with butyric acid+inulin (Zacofalk), two tablets daily, each containing 250 mg of butyric acid, and 250 mg of inulin, per os, for 14 days. Fecal samples were collected from each subject prior to eradication therapy (time point I), after the end of eradication therapy (time point II), and a month after the end of eradication therapy (time point III). The total DNA from the fecal samples was isolated for whole genome sequencing using the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Qualitative and quantitative changes in gut microbiota were assessed, including alpha and beta diversity, functional potential and antibiotic resistance gene profiling. Results. Gut microbiota alpha diversity significantly decreased compared with the baseline immediately after eradication therapy in both treatment groups (ECAB-14 and ECAB-Z-14). This diversity reached its baseline in the ECAB-Z-14 treatment group a month after the end of eradication therapy. However, in the ECAB-14 treatment arm, a reduction in the Shannon index was observed up to a month after the end of H. pylori eradication therapy. Fewer alterations in the gut microbiota functional potential were observed in the ECAB-Z-14 treatment group. The abundance of genes responsible for the metabolic pathway associated with butyrate production decreased only in the ECAB-14 treatment group. The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant genes in the gut microbiota increased significantly in both treatment groups by the end of treatment. However, more severe alterations were noted in the ECAB-14 treatment group. Conclusions. H. pylori eradication therapy leads to taxonomic changes, a reduction in the alpha diversity index, and alterations in the functional potential of the gut microbiota and gut resistome. Taking butyric acid+inulin supplements during H. pylori eradication therapy could help maintain the gut microbiota in its initial state and facilitate its recovery after H. pylori eradication.