A High-Fat Western Diet Attenuates Intestinal Changes in Mice with DSS-Induced Low-Grade Inflammation

Abstract

Background A Western diet (WD) is associated with increased inflammation in the large intestine, which is often ascribed to the high dietary fat content. Intestinal inflammation in rodents can be induced by oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). However, most studies investigating effects of WD and DSS have not used appropriate low-fat diets as control. Objective To compare the effects of a WD with those of a low-fat-diet (LFD), on colon health in a DSS-induced low-grade colonic inflammation mouse model. Methods Six-week old male C57BL/6JRj mice were fed a LFD (fat = 10.3% energy, n = 24) or a WD (fat = 41.2% energy, n = 24) for 15 weeks (Exp.1). Half the mice on each diet (n = 12) then received 1% DSS in water for six days with the remaining (n = 24) administered water. Disease activity, proinflammatory genes, inflammatory biomarkers and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA) were assessed (Exp.1). Follow-up experiments (Exp.2 and Exp.3), were performed to investigate whether fat source (milk or lard; Exp.2) affected outcomes and whether a shift from LFD to WD one day prior to 1% DSS exposure caused an immediate effect on DSS-induced inflammation (Exp.3). Results In Exp.1, 1% DSS treatment significantly increased disease score in the LFD group compared with the WD group (2.7 vs 0.8, P<0.001). Higher levels of fecal lipocalin (11-fold, P<0.001), proinflammatory gene expression (up to 82-fold) and Proteobacteria were observed in LFD-fed mice compared with WD group. The two fat sources in WDs (Exp.2) revealed the same low inflammation in WD+DSS compared to LFD+DSS mice. Finally, the switch from LFD to WD just before DSS exposure resulted in reduced colonic inflammation (Exp.3). Conclusions Herein, WDs (with milk or lard) protected mice against DSS-induced colonic inflammation compared with LFD-fed mice. Whether fat intake induces protective mechanisms against DSS mediated inflammation or inhibits establishment of the DSS-induced colitis model is unclear.

Preventive Effects of Long-Term Intake of Plant Oils With Different Linoleic Acid/Alpha-Linolenic Acid Ratios on Acute Colitis Mouse Model

“…This study also showed that the gut microbiota of mice fed with high-fat diets showed a higher Shannon index as compared to that of the mice fed with low-fat diets. Although it has been reported that the decreased bacterial richness can be considered a hallmark of the effects of a high-fat diet on the composition of gut microbiota in both humans and mice ( 44 ), more recent research conducted a study on the DSS-induced colitis mouse model (same as this study) and demonstrated a higher α-diversity (Shannon index) in the gut microbiota of mice fed with high-fat diet as compared to those fed with a low-fat diet ( 45 ). These seemingly contradictory conclusions suggested that the relationship between dietary factors and gut microbiota was highly complex and changeable, thereby requiring further investigations.…”

Intestinal effect of faba bean fractions in WD-fed mice treated with low dose of DSS

“…In the present study we examined the effect of a WD supplemented with two different fractions from faba beans in mice treated with 1% DSS for six days. Contrary to commonly used 2–5% DSS concentration for inducing colitis, we used 1% DSS to cause an irritation of the colon ideally mimicking a mild colitis phenotype consistent with low-grade colonic inflammation [ 46 – 48 ]. DSS treatments were combined with a commonly assumed unhealthy WD rich in fat and sucrose and low in dietary fibers, which may create an additional stress to the intestine [ 49 ].…”

“…ideally mimicking a mild colitis phenotype consistent with low-grade colonic inflammation [46][47][48]. DSS treatments were combined with a commonly assumed unhealthy WD rich in fat and sucrose and low in dietary fibers, which may create an additional stress to the intestine [49].…”

Intestinal Inflammation and Regeneration–Interdigitating Processes Controlled by Dietary Lipids in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Based on hospitalization diagnosis, IBD patients have a high body mass index because of high-fat diet (HFD) consumption, which exhibits deleterious effects [42]. The effect of liver disease on IBD progression is still unclear because a few dilemmas still support the theory that HFD intake damages the liver and exacerbates IBD, while others believe that HFD deleteriously affects the liver only and protects the intestine from its progression to IBD [43]. This review aims to summarize the molecular basis as to how dietary lipids intake acts as a dual sword in the case of IBD.…”

“…Experimentally, animal models fed with highfat diets have been systematically studied, and scientific evidence shows that consumption of a Western diet, which is high in fat, is directly linked to increased inflammation in the large intestine. Recent experimental studies have shown that mice fed a Western diet were protected from colonic inflammation compared to those fed a normal diet [43]. However, whether fat consumption triggers defensive cascades against DSS-induced inflammatory pathways or impedes the well-known DSS-induced colitis remains unclear.…”