Session/Event: Bioactives and the Gut Microbiome (Oral 8)

(OR08-03-22) Impact of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition of Older Adults With Different Sleep Status in Singapore: A Randomized Controlled Trial

On Demand

Presenting Author(s)

CS

Clarinda N. Sutanto, Ph. D.

Research Fellow
National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore

Disclosure: Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

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Co-Author(s)

XX

Xuejuan Xia, PhD

National University of Singapore
CH

Chin Wee Heng, BS

National University of Singapore
YT

Yue Shuian Tan

National University of Singapore
AG

Alicia Xinli Gan, B.Sc.

Research Assistant
National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
XW

Xian Fang Wang, BS

National University of Singapore
JF

Johnson Fam, Ph.D

National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore
JK

Jung Eun Kim, Ph.D., R.D.

Assistant Professor
National University of Singapore
Singapore, Singapore

Objectives: The gut and brain communicate bidirectionally through the gut brain axis. Lower microbial diversity has been observed in populations with sleep disturbances. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is known as a potential modulator of sleep quality, while its impact on the gut remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of 5-HTP on gut microbiota in older Singaporeans with different sleep status.

Methods: This study is a single-blinded, 12-week parallel randomized controlled trial. Thirty older adults (66 ± 3 years, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to either consume or not consume 100 mg 5-HTP daily. Their baseline sleep status was evaluated using global sleep score (GSS): GSS≤5 (good sleepers, n:17); GSS >5 (poor sleepers: n:13). Characterization of the bacterial population from the stool samples collected at week 0 and 12 was analyzed through 16S metagenomic sequencing. Microbiota composition between GSS≤5 and GSS >5 was compared via MetaStat analysis. The main effect and interaction of 5-HTP on gut microbiota composition was evaluated by mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: At baseline, poor sleepers have a significantly lower relative abundance of Firmicutes than good sleepers (GSS >5: 3.78x10^-1 ± 5.43x10^-2; GSS ≤5: 4.33x10^-1 ± 9.32x10^-2; p-value: 0.048). After a 12-week consumption of 5-HTP, subjects with GSS >5 showed an increase in α-diversity (Simpson_5-HTP vs. Simpson_Control: 0.037 ± 0.032 vs. -0.007 ± 0.022; p<sub>interaction: 0.013). 5-HTP supplementation also showed interaction effects on the relative abundance of Bacteroidota (Bacteroidota_5-HTP vs. Bacteroidota_Control: -1.03 x 10^-1 ± 4.99 x 10^-2 vs. -3.06 x 10^-2 ± 4.39 x 10^-2; p<sub>interaction: 0.019) and Firmicutes (Firmicutes_5-HTP vs. Firmicutes_Control: 1.10 x 10^-1 ± 2.40 x 10^-2 vs. 2.02 x 10^-2 ± 7.82 x 10^-2; p<sub>interaction: 0.031). No significant changes were observed for GSS ≤5 group.

Conclusions: In older adults, 5-HTP consumption modulated gut microbiota composition in poor sleepers (GSS >5). However, no influence to the gut microbiota was observed in good sleepers (GSS ≤5).

Funding Sources: NUS iHealthtech Microbiome in Health, Disease and Ageing