Spatial distribution: Effect of oxygen availability on gut microbiota adhesion and colonization

Authors

• Ruixue Ding, Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, ChinaFollow
• Xiaotong Sun, Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
• Yinan Wang, Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
• Binbin Tu, College of Intelligent Science and Engineering, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, Liaoning, China
• Yue Liang, Shenyang product quality supervision and inspection institute, Liaoning, China
• Qi Lin, Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
• Fuqiang Zhao, Key Laboratory of Ecological Restoration of Regional Contaminated Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China

Keywords

adhesive colonization; gut microbiota; mucus layers; oxygen availability

Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host digestion and immune regulation; however, most existing research relies on fecal sampling, leaving uncertainty regarding whether fecal microbiota can accurately reflect the symbiotic microbial components at distinct gut sites. To address this gap, this study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to systematically analyze the microbial composition of three spatial compartments in the rat colon: luminal contents, mucus layer, and epithelial tissue. The results revealed notable differences in microbial communities across the three compartments. The luminal contents, which were closely associated with the fecal microbiota, exhibited high microbial abundance, encompassing gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, aerobic bacteria, and obligate anaerobes. By contrast, the mucus layer and epithelial tissue were predominantly enriched in gram-negative bacteria and obligate anaerobes, with a marked scarcity of aerobic bacteria. Further analysis indicated that the ACE and Chao1 indices were significantly higher in mucus samples than in luminal samples, whereas tissue samples showed reduced richness but relatively stable diversity. Additionally, Proteobacteria were rarely detected in the lumen but were significantly enriched in the mucus and tissue. These findings suggest that the oxygen content in the intestinal lumen is significantly higher than that of the host-derived mucus layer and epithelial tissue and that this oxygen gradient drives the spatial partitioning of the gut microbiota. Collectively, this study clarifies the spatial distribution characteristics of the gut microbiota and highlights oxygen availability as a key factor in regulating microbial adhesion and colonization

Abstract Image

Recommended Citation

Ding, Ruixue; Sun, Xiaotong; Wang, Yinan; Tu, Binbin; Liang, Yue; Lin, Qi; and Zhao, Fuqiang (2026) "Spatial distribution: Effect of oxygen availability on gut microbiota adhesion and colonization," Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Vol. 34 : Iss. 2 , Article 4.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.3592

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