Dania Akeil Abed Alkader, Naweedullah Asadi, Uzma Solangi, Ransherjit Singh, Sayed Farhad Rasuli, Muhammad Jawad Farooq, F N U Raheela, Radeyah Waseem, Syed Mujahid Gilani, Kiran Abbas, Moiz Ahmed, Desmond Boakye Tanoh, Hussain Haider Shah, Ayusha Dulal, Muhammad Sheheryar Hussain, Abdul Subhan Talpur
Journal: Frontiers in endocrinology 2023;14():1238146
PMID: 37964972
Autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITDs), such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD), are influenced by genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Recent research suggests that gut microbiota may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AITDs. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the role of gut microbiota in the development and progression of autoimmune thyroid disorders. This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis, incorporating data from multiple observational studies and clinical trials that investigated the composition and function of gut microbiota in patients with AITDs. Results showed that: - people with both GD and HT had significantly different gut microbiota in terms of diversity and composition. - patients with HT had greater diversity indices than healthy participants, whereas those with GD had lower values. - patients with GD also had a greater relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria. - TPOAb (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) levels are often associated with changes in the diversity of microbiota. Authors concluded that their findings suggest that targeting gut microbiota could be a potential therapeutic strategy for managing AITDs. However, further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms and to develop effective microbiota-based interventions.
BACKGROUND
Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are characterized by unique immune responses against thyroid antigens and persist over time. The most common types of AITDs are Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). There is mounting evidence that changes in the microbiota may play a role in the onset and development of AITDs.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this comprehensive literature study was to answer the following query: Is there a difference in microbiota in those who have AITDs?
METHODS
According to the standards set out by the PRISMA statement, 16 studies met the requirements for inclusion after being screened for eligibility.
RESULTS
The Simpson index was the only diversity measure shown to be considerably lower in patients with GD compared to healthy participants, whereas all other indices were found to be significantly greater in patients with HT. The latter group, however, showed a greater relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria at the phylum level, and consequently of Prevotella and Bifidobacterium at the genus level. The strongest positive and negative relationships were seen for thyroid peroxidase antibodies and bacterial load.
CONCLUSION
Overall, both GD and HT patients showed significant changes in the gut microbiota's diversity and composition.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023432455.
Copyright © 2023 Alkader, Asadi, Solangi, Singh, Rasuli, Farooq, Raheela, Waseem, Gilani, Abbas, Ahmed, Tanoh, Shah, Dulal, Hussain and Talpur.
© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence
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