Distinct Profiles of Fecal Volatile Organic Compounds Discriminate Ulcerative Colitis Patients With an Ileoanal Pouch From Those With an Intact Colon

Yao, Chu K, Green, Kraig, Day, Alice S, Ardalan, Zaid M, Slater, Rachael, Bryant, Robert V, Gibson, Peter R and Probert, Chris ORCID: 0000-0003-0477-6714 (2025) Distinct Profiles of Fecal Volatile Organic Compounds Discriminate Ulcerative Colitis Patients With an Ileoanal Pouch From Those With an Intact Colon MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH, 69 (7). e70003-. ISSN 1613-4125, 1613-4133

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Abstract

Fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) offer insights into gut microbiota function that may drive the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). This cross-sectional study aimed to compare dietary intake and VOC patterns in UC patients with an ileoanal pouch compared to those with an intact colon. Seven-day food records and fecal samples were collected from UC patients with an intact colon (n = 28) or an ileoanal pouch (n = 11). Fecal VOC profiles were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Dietary intake in both groups was largely similar. The mean Jaccard similarity index of VOC was 0.55 (95% CI:0.53, 0.56) in the pouch compared with 0.48 (0.47, 0.49) in the colon group (p < 0.01). A lower proportion of VOC classes was detected in the pouch, including sulfide (9% vs. 57%; p < 0.01), branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs; 45%–64% vs. 93%–96%; p < 0.01), and ketones (45%–64% vs. 93%–96%; p < 0.01), along with a higher proportion of butyric acid (91% vs. 29%; p < 0.001). Unrelated to diet, VOC profiles show less functional diversity, reduced protein and greater carbohydrate fermentation, and altered production of secondary metabolites in the UC-pouch compared with the intact colon. These differences in the metabolic environment of the gut microbiota provide insights into pathogenesis and suggest that microbial-targeted interventions should be tailored accordingly.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	diet, ileoanal pouch, metabolomics, ulcerative colitis, volatile organic compounds
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	10 Apr 2025 07:55
Last Modified:	23 May 2026 09:50
DOI:	10.1002/mnfr.70003
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70003
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3191311
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