Improved glucose control and reduced body fat mass in free fatty acid receptor 2-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

Free fatty acid receptor 2 (Ffar2), also known as GPR43, is activated by short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and expressed in intestine, adipocytes, and immune cells, suggesting involvement in lipid and immune regulation. In the present study, Ffar2-deficient mice (Ffar2-KO) were given a high-fat diet (HFD) or chow diet and studied with respect to lipid and energy metabolism. On a HFD, Ffar2-KO mice had lower body fat mass and increased lean body mass. The changed body composition was accompanied by improved glucose control and lower HOMA index, indicating improved insulin sensitivity in Ffar2-KO mice. Moreover, the Ffar2-KO mice had higher energy expenditure accompanied by higher core body temperature and increased food intake. The liver weight and content of triglycerides as well as plasma levels of cholesterol were lower in the Ffar2-KO mice fed a HFD. A histological examination unveiled decreased lipid interspersed in brown adipose tissue of the Ffar2-KO mice. Interestingly, no significant differences in white adipose tissue (WAT) cell size were observed, but significantly lower macrophage content was detected in WAT from HFD-fed Ffar2-KO compared with wild-type mice. In conclusion, Ffar2 deficiency protects from HFD-induced obesity and dyslipidemia at least partly via increased energy expenditure.

Gut microbiota and energy balance: role in obesity

“…In agreement with this finding, increased wheat fibre intake by hyperinsulinaemic human subjects resulted in higher postprandial plasma SCFA and GLP-1 concentrations compared with a control group, but this effect became only detectable after 9 and 12 months of intervention (47) . However, it has to be noted that some results concerning the role of FFAR2 are in part controversial: in contrast to Tolhurst et al (46) , Bjursell et al (48) did not find a significant difference in glucose tolerance in Ffar2 −/− mice fed a chow diet compared to Ffar2 +/+ mice. On a high-fat diet, these Ffar2 −/− mice had a lower body fat mass in spite of a higher food intake compared with wild-type controls.…”

Gut bacteria–host metabolic interplay during conventionalisation of the mouse germfree colon

“…SCFAs activate a G-protein coupled receptor 43, which has an important role in immune modulation (Maslowski et al, 2009), and has a key-role in the regulation of energy balance (Bjursell et al, 2011). In addition to fermentation of dietary or host glycans, the microbiota synthesises essential vitamins such as vitamin K and certain B vitamins; these vitamins have to be supplemented to the feed of germfree animals (Hooper et al, 2002).…”

Current Approaches to Preventing Childhood Obesity

“…Дисбаланс кишечной микрофлоры приво-дит к увеличению концентрации короткоцепочечных жирных кислот, которые выступают в роли сигналь-ных молекул и стимулируют каскад реакций, при-водящих к увеличению липогенеза и запасов жира [49,50]. Микробиота также регулирует экспрессию белка FIAF -ингибитора липазы липопротеинов.…”