Dietary Protein Modulation, Gut Microbiota, and Metabolic Control in Methylmalonic Acidemia: A Prospective Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by defective conversion of methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. Emerging evidence suggests that both dietary protein composition and intestinal microbiota influence metabolic stability and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of stepwise dietary modification and short-term metronidazole therapy on systemic and gut-derived metabolic profiles in MMA. In this prospective, longitudinal, single-center study, eight genetically confirmed MMA patients underwent four sequential phases: baseline mixed-protein diet (50% intact protein/50% medical formula), protein restriction, intact protein enrichment (80% intact protein/20% medical formula), and adjunctive metronidazole therapy (20 mg/kg/day, 10 days/month for 3 months). Plasma amino acids, urinary metabolites, stool microbiota (16S rRNA long-read sequencing), and untargeted/tandem metabolomic profiles were analyzed at each phase. Transition to an intact protein-enriched diet significantly reduced plasma leucine levels (p = 0.008) without affecting isoleucine or valine. Urinary methylmalonic acid, 3-hydroxypropionate, lactate, and pyruvate decreased, indicating improved propionyl-CoA clearance. Microbiota diversity progressively declined, accompanied by reductions in butyrate-producing genera (Novisyntrophococcus, Lacrimispora, Hespellia). Metronidazole further lowered urinary methylmalonic acid and 3-hydroxypropionate (p = 0.017 and p = 0.028), with parallel decreases in fecal 3-indolelactic acid and phytosphingosine, suggesting suppression of gut-derived propionate and tryptophan metabolism. Despite antibiotic-induced dysbiosis with expansion of Trabulsiella (Proteobacteria), systemic propiogenic burden decreased. A phased dietary regimen emphasizing intact protein, combined with intermittent metronidazole therapy, favorably modulated biochemical and microbial parameters in MMA. These findings support microbiome-informed dietary strategies and selective gut-targeted interventions to optimize metabolic control in organic acidemias.