Probable alterations in fecal bacterial microbiota by somatostatin receptor analogs in acromegaly

Objective: Data on bacterial diversity and microbiota alterations in acromegaly are currently lacking. The effects of somatostatin receptor analogs on gut microbiota remain unknown. The objective of this study was to determine microbiota alterations in patients with acromegaly and to assess the effects of somatostatin receptor analogs on gut microbiota. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional case-control research and three cohorts, comprising individuals with acromegaly without medical therapy (n=5), acromegaly receiving octreotide acetate (OCT) (n=8) and healthy controls (n=5), were evaluated. Results: No statistically-supported changes in Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria abundance were observed. Bacteroidaceae, Odoribacteraceae, Porphyromonadaceae, Prevotellaceae and Alistipes families of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacterium genus of the Actinobacteria phyla were detected, without overt differences. Variations in Clostridia, Erysipelotrichaceae and Veillonellaceae were not significant, while Lactobacillales were increased in individuals receiving OCT. Moreover, Akkermansia mucinophila was present in patients under OCT treatment. Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that the bacterial community profile under OCT treatment may facilitate a colonic microenvironment for improved glucose metabolism. Alterations in the gut microbiota may be a factor affecting diabetes development during somatostatin analog treatment in acromegalic patients.