Introduction:
The human gut is home to around 100 trillion microorganisms. These microorganisms have been present in the gut since birth. Metabolism, immune regulation, the integrity of the abdominal wall, and maintenance by these microorganisms. Not only gut health but the health of the systems is also regulated by these microorganisms. Any dysregulation of the population of microorganisms may cause various disorders.
What Is Gut Microbiota?
The gut microbiota is present in the gut since birth. Around 500 - 1000 species of microorganisms are present in the gut. According to some researchers, the number of gut microbiota may go upto 35000 species. These species include organisms, like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. The species of bacteria depends on several factors like the morphological site, the acidity of the gut, familial factors, and environmental factors. During birth, these microorganisms are transferred from the mother to the body of the newborn. In the esophagus, where the pH is less than 4, species like Bacteroides, Gemella, Megasphaera, Pseudomonas, and Prevotella can be seen. Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Enterococcus, and Helicobacter pylori can be seen in the stomach, where the pH is around 2. Species like Clostridium, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Eubacterium, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus species, Enterobacterium, and Enterococcus, Lactobacillus species can be observed in the colon. In the small intestine, where the pH is between 5 to 7, microorganisms like Bacteroides, Clostridium, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus can be found. Lachnospira , Roseburia, Butyrivibrio, Ruminococcus,and Fecalibacterium can be found in the cecum.
The functions of the gut microbiota are:
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Dietary fibers are digested and fermented with the help of gut microorganisms. Bacteroides, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, Fecalibacterium, and Enterobacteria help in this procedure.
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The gut microbiota produces short-chain fatty acids and gases by breaking down non-digestible carbohydrates, including dietary fibers, cellulose, and resistant starch. This process produces substances like acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These short-chain fatty acids maintain the intestinal barrier mechanisms.
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Butyrate acts as one of the main energy sources of the colonocyte cells. This maintains various morphological functions like beta-oxidation of the oxygen. This process regulates the bacterial population in the gut. This also prevents the accumulation of toxic metabolic byproducts.
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Gluconeogenesis is maintained by propionate.
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De novo synthesis of vitamins is influenced by the action of the gut microbiota. Lactic acid bacterias are essential for the synthesis of vitamin B12. Bifidobacteria is responsible for the synthesis of folate. This is useful for maintaining metabolic processes and DNA synthesis and repair. Other vitamins like vitamin K, biotin, and riboflavin are also synthesized with the help of the gut microbiota.
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The action of gut microorganisms reduces the chances of oxalate stone formation in the kidney. Microorganisms like Oxalobacter formigenes, Lactobacillus species, and Bifidobacterium are responsible for countering the oxalate produced during the mechanism of the intestine.
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These microorganisms are helpful in the protein metabolisms that are essential in the formation of several signaling molecules.
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Microorganisms like Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron prompt lipid hydrolysis and augment the metabolism of lipids.
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Deconjugation of primary bile acids is done by microorganisms like Bacteroides intestinalis and Bacteroides fragilis.
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The breakdown of the polyphenols is controlled by the gut microorganisms. This process helps in the formation of active components of polyphenols. These compounds are absorbed into the portal vein and reach the targeted organs. Such active polyphenols provide antimicrobial action.
What Is the Correlation Between Gut Microorganisms and Urinary System?
Gut microorganisms are essential for maintaining metabolic activity and immune functions. The loss of beneficial microorganisms in the gut is known as gut dysbiosis. In this condition, a reduction in the number of gut bacteria, along with a reduction in the number of variations of the microorganisms, can be seen. This leads to the production of toxins due to a shift in the microbial environment. This helps in the growth of microorganisms in the urinary system. The correlation between gut microbiota and the kidney is known as the gut–kidney axis. Previously it was believed that the urinary tract is a sterile system. But recently, several bacterial species like Klebsiella, Rhodanobacter, Saccharofermentans, Jonquetella, Alloscardovia, Burkholderia, and Veillonella have been identified. The immunological mechanism regulated by gut microbiota helps to maintain the balance among the bacterial populations.
What Are the Microbiota Present In the Urinary Diseases?
The presence of different microbiota can be observed in different kidney diseases. These are:
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Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common urinary diseases. Different bacterias species like Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacteriaceae are present in such cases. Escherichia coli is also a prevalent bacteria found in such cases. Patients with recurrent cystitis (bladder inflammation) show the presence of microbial species like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Rothia. Recent studies have shown that low microbial levels in the gut are related to urinary tract infections. Patients suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections show an abundance of Bacteroidetes and lower numbers of Firmicutes.
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Urinary Incontinence: Sudden and unwanted leakage of urine is known as urinary incontinence. Several disorders like overactive bladder, urinary tract obstruction, impaired detrusor activity, and radiation therapy are responsible for this. Increased numbers of Gardnerella spices and decreased amounts of Lactobacillus spices can be found in such cases. An abundance of Streptococcus species in the gut environment is related to urinary incontinence.
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Kidney Stone: Kidney stones or renal calculi are irregularly shaped solid mass that is present in the urinary tract. These stones block the passage of urine from the pelvis of the kidney to the ureter. Kidney stones present on the urethra are urethral stones. Deposition of calcium salts and high levels of uric acid in the blood is associated with this. Reduction in the number of gut bacteria like Oxalobacter formigenes, Ruminococcus, and Oscillospira species hamper the oxalate-metabolizing. This is one of the predisposing factors for renal stone formation. Also, bacteria responsible for the synthesis of small-chain fatty acids, such as Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens, Veillonella atypica, and Conexibacter woesei, are less abundant in such patients. Bacterial species associated with inflammatory gut disorders, such as Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Megamonas, Synechococcus, Acinetobacter, and Cetobacterium, are pronounced in such patients.
Conclusion:
Gut microbiota is important for maintaining gut health. Different functions like stretch metabolism, vitamin synthesis, lipid metabolism, and immune regulation are regulated by this microorganism. In different urinary disorders, alteration of the gut microbiota is seen. These alterations create a physiological environment for the pathogenesis of different urinary conditions.
