why choose us

300×250 Ad Slot

Research Article: Gut microbiota and metabolomic characteristics associated with metabolic syndrome in post-cholecystectomy patients: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Date Published: 2026-06-22

Abstract:
Cholecystectomy (CCE) is widely performed for gallbladder disease, and postoperative bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota homeostasis have attracted increasing attention. Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) may show distinct postoperative microbiota and metabolomic features, yet these characteristics remain poorly concerned in post-CCE populations. This study compared gut microbiota and metabolic profiles between post-CCE patients with and without MS. A retrospective cross-sectional study of 432 cases was analyzed. Fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomic profiling. Microbial diversity, taxonomic composition, functional pathways, and metabolite levels were compared between groups and integrated with clinical parameters. MS patients exhibited reduced microbial richness, reflected by lower Chao1 richness, while Shannon and Simpson indices were not significantly different. The MS group also showed a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased Prevotella abundance, and reduced Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Roseburia abundance. Metabolomic analysis revealed elevated secondary bile acids and diminished short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate. Correlation analysis linked these changes to inflammatory markers and adverse metabolic indices. Functional prediction analysis using PICRUSt2 suggested potential enrichment of bile acid metabolism and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in the MS group. In conclusion, among patients with a history of CCE, those with MS exhibited distinct gut microbial and metabolomic profiles compared with non-MS patients, and these profiles were associated with inflammatory and metabolic indicators. These findings suggest that dietary modulation, probiotic supplementation, and other microbiota-targeted strategies should be investigated in future prospective interventional studies rather than interpreted as established therapeutic approaches.

Introduction:
Cholecystectomy (CCE) is widely performed for gallbladder disease, and postoperative bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota homeostasis have attracted increasing attention. Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) may show distinct postoperative microbiota and metabolomic features, yet these characteristics remain poorly concerned in post-CCE populations. This study compared gut microbiota and metabolic profiles between post-CCE patients with and without MS.

Read more

300×250 Ad Slot