Gut Seasons: Photoperiod Effects on Fecal Microbiota in Healthy and Cafeteria-Induced Obese Fisher 344 Rats

Abstract

Gut microbiota and biological rhythms are emerging as key factors in the modulation of several physiological and metabolic processes. However, little is known about their interaction and how this may affect host physiology and metabolism. Several studies have shown oscillations of gut microbiota that follows a circadian rhythmicity, but, in contrast, variations due to seasonal rhythms have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Thus, the goal of this study was to investigate the impact of different photoperiods, which mimic seasonal changes, on fecal microbiota composition and how this interaction affects diet-induced obesity development. To this aim, Fisher 344 male rats were housed under three photoperiods (L6, L12 and L18) and fed with standard chow diet or cafeteria diet (CAF) for 9 weeks. The 16S ribosomal sequencing of collected fecal samples was performed. The photoperiod exposure significantly altered the fecal microbiota composition under L18, especially in CAF-fed rats. Moreover, these alterations were associated with changes in body weight gain and different fat parameters. These findings suggest a clear impact of seasonal rhythms on gut microbiota, which ultimately translates into different susceptibilities to diet-induced obesity development. This is the first time to our knowledge that the photoperiod impact on gut microbiota composition has been described in an obesity context although further studies are needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

The effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins in cafeteria diet-induced obese Fischer 344 rats are influenced by faecal microbiota in a photoperiod dependent manner

“…In this context, GSPE decreased the photoperiod effect observed on the fecal microbiota composition in VH-treated rats, showing similar beta- and alpha-diversity independent of photoperiod conditions, and modulating the most abundant genera. Accordingly, Bacteroides , Oscillospira , Coprococcus and Ruminococcu s genus levels, which were associated with higher BW gain and fat depot accumulation under L18 conditions in VH-treated rats, 28 did not show any photoperiod effects in GSPE-treated rats. Therefore, GSPE affected BW gain and the gut microbiota composition in a photoperiod dependent manner, suggesting a potential interaction among GSPE, the gut microbiota and photoperiod conditions.…”

“…Isolated DNA was quantified using a NanoDrop ND2000 spectrophotometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA) and used for 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing using an Ion S5 system (Life Technologies, California, USA) as described previously. 28…”

Photoperiodic Remodeling of Adiposity and Energy Metabolism in Non-Human Mammals

“…Moreover, the gut microbiota rapidly responds to an obesogenic environment, where its composition is altered. A recent study revealed that the impact of photoperiod in fecal bacteria was accentuated in cafeteria-fed rats [ 93 ]. In fact, the obesity-derived alterations in the fecal microbiota were exaggerated in animals housed under long photoperiod conditions [ 93 ].…”

Photoperiod Conditions Modulate Serum Oxylipins Levels in Healthy and Obese Rats: Impact of Proanthocyanidins and Gut Microbiota

“…Interestingly, our group reported that biological rhythms can influence both gut microbiota [ 33 ] and polyphenols bioactivities [ 34 , 35 ]. Remarkably, we recently reported that photoperiod can influence the functionality of one grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) via gut microbiota [ 36 ].…”