Gut microbiota mediates the anti-obesity effect of calorie restriction in mice

Abstract

Calorie restriction (CR) extends lifespan and elicits numerous effects beneficial to health and metabolism in various model organisms, but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Gut microbiota has been reported to be associated with the beneficial effects of CR; however, it is unknown whether these effects of CR are causally mediated by gut microbiota. In this study, we employed an antibiotic-induced microbiota-depleted mouse model to investigate the functional role of gut microbiota in CR. Depletion of gut microbiota rendered mice resistant to CR-induced loss of body weight, accompanied by the increase in fat mass, the reduction in lean mass and the decline in metabolic rate. Depletion of gut microbiota led to increases in fasting blood glucose and cholesterol levels independent of CR. A few metabolism-modulating hormones including leptin and insulin were altered by CR and/or gut microbiota depletion. In addition, CR altered the composition of gut microbiota with significant increases in major probiotic genera such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, together with the decrease of Helicobacter. In addition, we performed fecal microbiota transplantation in mice fed with high-fat diet. Mice with transferred microbiota from calorie-restricted mice resisted high fat diet-induced obesity and exhibited metabolic improvement such as alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation. Collectively, these data indicate that CR-induced metabolic improvement especially in body weight reduction is mediated by intestinal microbiota to a certain extent.

Causal roles of mitochondrial dynamics in longevity and healthy aging

“…This suppression of methionine content is key to metformin-induced longevity in C. elegans. On similar lines, several studies have shown that DR and exercise in different species significantly alter the host microbiome [213][214][215][216]. It might be possible then that in addition to metformin, several other pro-longevity interventions might exert their effect through microbial modulation of host mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism.…”

Review: Other Helicobacter species

“…62 Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been reported to confer the beneficial metabolic effects of diet and exercise on diet-induced obese mice; these effects have been associated with bacterial genera including Helicobacters, in particular Helicobacter typhlonius, thus reflecting the genus vulnerability to diet, exercise, and even FMT. 64 Indeed, calorie restriction has been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiota with significant increases in probiotic genera and a decrease in harmful bacteria such as Helicobacters. 64 Indeed, calorie restriction has been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiota with significant increases in probiotic genera and a decrease in harmful bacteria such as Helicobacters.…”

“…63 Furthermore, the gut microbiota mediates the anti-obesity effect of calorie restriction in mice. 64 64 …”

“…63 Furthermore, the gut microbiota mediates the anti-obesity effect of calorie restriction in mice. 64 Indeed, calorie restriction has been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiota with significant increases in probiotic genera and a decrease in harmful bacteria such as Helicobacters. 64…”

“…64 Indeed, calorie restriction has been shown to alter the composition of the gut microbiota with significant increases in probiotic genera and a decrease in harmful bacteria such as Helicobacters. 64…”