Metagenomic Analysis Revealed The Potential Role Of Gut Microbiome In Chondrocalcinosis

Objectives: The causality and pathogenic mechanism of microbiome composition remain elusive in chondrocalcinosis(CC).This study aimed to elucidate gut microbiome’s role in CC pathology and the relationship between the gut microbiota.Methods: Participants were from a community-based observational study conducted among the residents of the rural areas of China.Knee,hip or hand joint radiograph were obtained from each subject.Radiographic chondrocalcinosis was present if there was definite linear cartilage calcification.Gut microbiome was profiled by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and the microbial composition and function were determined.Results: The study sample included 1,380 participants(women:58.2%;mean age: 63.2 years;prevalence of CC: 20.0%).β-diversity indicated by JSD(genetic level: P=0.049;taxonomic level of family:P=3.659e-08;taxonomic level of genus: P=1.576e-06),but not α-diversity indicated by Shannon index(genetic level: P=0.299;taxonomic level of family: P= 0.361;taxonomic level of genus: P=0.381;taxonomic level of species: P=0.392),was significantly associated with prevalent CC.After adjusting for potential confounders,participants with CC had higher relative abundance of species Enterococcus＿B＿faecium,Bifidobacterium dentium,Prevotella sp900317685 and MGYG.HGUT.00655 than those without CC.Functional annotation analysis revealed that inosine monophosphate biosynthesis(P= 0.037,Q= 0.165)and Uridine monophosphate biosynthesis(P= 0.039,Q= 0.169)were enriched in participants with CC.Conclusions: This first population-based observational study utilizing metagenomic shotgun sequencing provides the empirical evidence that alterations of gut microbiome composition and function were observed among CC individuals.