Microbiome Succession Velocity is a conceptual metric that describes the rate and direction of change in the composition and functional diversity of the gut microbiota over a specified period, reflecting the stability and adaptability of the microbial ecosystem. A slow, stable velocity often indicates a resilient and mature microbial community, whereas a high, erratic velocity suggests a state of dysbiosis or instability, often triggered by significant dietary shifts, antibiotic use, or chronic stress. This velocity is a key indicator of gut health, influencing the efficiency of metabolite production and the regulation of the host’s immune and endocrine systems. It provides a dynamic assessment of gut ecosystem resilience.
Origin
This term is borrowed from ecological science, where ‘succession’ describes the predictable change in species structure over time in an ecosystem, adapted here to the microbial community, the microbiome. ‘Velocity’ adds the dimension of rate to this change, quantifying the dynamic nature of the gut environment. The concept is clinically applied in personalized medicine to assess the impact of interventions, such as prebiotics or probiotics, and to gauge the long-term stability of the gut-brain and gut-hormone axes.
Mechanism
The mechanism of succession involves competition and co-existence dynamics among bacterial species, governed by factors like nutrient availability, pH, and host immune signaling. Environmental perturbations, such as a change in fiber intake, can rapidly shift the selective pressures, favoring the growth of certain bacterial phyla over others. The velocity of this change is measured by tracking the relative abundance of key taxa or functional genes over time. A rapid velocity can lead to the loss of beneficial, slow-growing keystone species, potentially compromising metabolic functions like short-chain fatty acid production and the appropriate clearance of hormone metabolites.
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