Development of a Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (PHGG) Based Synbiotic for Amelioration of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

It is well known that some components of the diet could promote the growth of certain bacterial strains present in the intestine, which are closely associated with benefits for host health. In the previous study, the investigators found that an intestinal commensal Parabacteroides goldsteinii (Pg) was highlighted to be significantly negatively associated with severity of COPD. Furthermore, the investigators identify the potential prebiotics (PHGG) which may enrich the abundance of P. goldsteinii and increase the probiotic effect of P. goldsteinii. However, the effect of PHGG supplement on compositional and functional properties of the human microbiota with COPD still remains unclear.

In this proposal, the investigators designed a randomized control study, which enroll adults diagnosed with COPD. The investigators will review their past medical records and related image and lung function test. Then the two groups will receive PHGG or not. Stool samples will be collected. The ameliorative efficacy will be evaluated by questionnaire and lung function test. Intestinal microbiota and metabolome will be analyzed and the correlation with lung function indices will be further investigated. In the future, it may be used to investigate and analyze the change of microbiota and metabolome, then develop possible treatment options of COPD.