Integrated metabolomics and 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the regulation of Chinese yam on antibiotic-induced intestinal dysbiosis in rats

Objective Antibiotics have saved hundreds of millions of patient's lives, but there are also many side effects. This paper mainly studies the regulation of Chinese yam on antibiotic-induced gut dysbiosis in rats. Methods Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups, normal control group, antibiotic group, and Chinese yam group. In the antibiotic group and the yam group, a rat model of intestinal dysfunction was established by intragastric administration of imipenem/cilastatin sodium (antibiotic) for 21 days. The yam group was also given yam decoction for intervention. The fecal samples of each group of rats were analyzed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) method to find potential biomarkers. The DNA in the feces was extracted, and analyzed using 16S rDNA method to find the differential flora. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on differential flora and differential metabolites to determine the main metabolic pathways of the host after intestinal flora dysregulation.Results The administration of antibiotics can lead to disorders of intestinal flora, decreased microbial diversity, and changes in host metabolic phenotype. Chinese yam can significantly improve the intestinal flora, making the host's metabolic phenotype tend toward normal.Conclusion Long-term use of Imipenem/cilastatin sodium can cause disturbance of intestinal flora in normal rats. Chinese yam may regulate intestinal flora disorder and have potential prebiotic effects.