Obesity is a major global lifestyle disorder associated with gut microbiota. The health benefits of eggshell membrane (ESM) have been shown in previous reports, particularly as regards gut microbiota composition. Here, we investigated whether ESM improves lipid metabolism and alters gut microbiota in high‐fat diet‐fed mice. A total of 20 C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were given either a control diet (CON), high‐fat diet (HFD), or high‐fat diet + 8% ESM powder (HESM) for 20 weeks. ESM supplementation in HFD‐fed mice reduced plasma triglycerides (TG) and liver total cholesterol (TC) and upregulated the expression of lipid metabolism genes carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A and suppressor of cytokine signaling 2. Microbiota analysis showed increased relative abundance of the anti‐obesity bacterium, Lactobacillus reuteri, at 4, 12, and 16 weeks and reduced the abundance of inflammation‐related Blautia hydrogenotrophica, Roseburia faecis, and Ruminococcus callidus at 12 and 20 weeks. ESM‐supplemented mice had increased cecal isobutyrate, negatively correlated with B. hydrogenotrophica and Parabacteroides goldsteinii abundance. The results indicate that ESM supplementation in HFD‐fed mice reduced plasma TG and liver TC, possibly through alteration of lipid metabolism gene expression and gut microbiota composition, suggesting that ESM may be effective in obesity management.

How older adults develop sarcopenia in the community setting is unclear. Focusing on social engagement, we aimed to validate our hypothesized model of sarcopenia development with various contributing factors, such as physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status. We also clarified direct and indirect effects of social engagement, physical activity, nutritional status, oral function and psychological status on new-onset sarcopenia.Methods: We analyzed 1483 participants' (72.6 AE 5.4 years) longitudinal data from the Kashiwa study. Sarcopenia was assessed in all the surveys in the Kashiwa study. Measures regarding social engagement, physical activity, oral function, psychological status and nutritional status were assessed at baseline. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the efficiency of the hypothesized model, and calculate direct and indirect effects of factors affecting new-onset sarcopenia.Results: Over the follow-up period (median 6 years [interquartile range 4-6 years]), 12% of individuals developed new-onset sarcopenia. Our structural hypothesis model starting from social engagement to new-onset sarcopenia was suitable (root mean square error of approximation = 0.031, goodness-of-fit index = 0.967, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.954, comparative fix index = 0.911, parsimonious comparative fit index = 0.755; all paths were significant), showing direct effects of social engagement on psychological status, physical activity and oral function, and indirect effects on nutritional status through oral function and psychological status. Conclusions:The present results showed that social engagement could potentially decrease new-onset sarcopenia risks by influencing multidimensional factors, such as physical activity, oral function, and psychological and nutritional status. To prevent sarcopenia, it might be essential to promote social engagement through populational approaches. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 384-391.

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