Plasticity of human gut microbiota in environmental/dietary changes due to mobility from China to Italy

Gut microbiota has long been known to influence health and human diseases. It is extensively studied in relation to different geographical areas, ethnic groups, food, and age. However, the microbiota modulations by temporary full immersion in a different diet and environment are still not clear and are relevant considering the high level of global mobility. The understanding of the extent of microbiota plasticity is essential for future pre- and probiotics uses in association to human diseases. We are investigating the plasticity/resilience of the gut microbiota in healthy young people during geographical changes. Stool samples from one homogeneous population of volunteer students from North-East of China are under current analysis at different periods of their mobility to Italy, in order to discover microbiota modulations by a drastic change of circadian clock, diet, and environment. The analyses performed until now on 24 Chinese volunteer students revealed significant changes in relative abundances of bacterial taxa in stool samples collected at the arrival from China, after one week, and after two months of residence in Italy. The parallel analysis of the short chain fatty acid content is in support of these findings. Repeated mobility from China to Italy in different years seems to facilitate the recovery from the stress due to the environmental change. Some microbial taxa appeared as potential markers of the stress condition during the first adaptation and others of the stabilized condition in the new environment. Associations between altered abundances of taxa and diet changes are under investigation.