Influence of a diet enriched with virgin olive oil or butter on mouse gut microbiota and its correlation to physiological and biochemical parameters related to metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The type of fat in the diet determinates the characteristics of gut microbiota, exerting a major role in the development of metabolic syndrome. We hypothesize that a diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a distinctive effect on the intestinal microbiome in comparison with an enriched butter diet (BT) and this effect is related to the physiological benefits exerted by EVOO. Swiss Webster mice were fed standard (SD) or two high fat diets enriched with EVOO or butter. Hormonal, physiological and metabolic parameters were evaluated. At the end of the feeding period, DNA was extracted from faeces and the 16S rRNA genes were pyrosequenced. Among the main significant differences found, BT triggered the highest values of systolic blood pressure, correlating positively with the percentage of Desulfovibrio sequences in faeces, which in turn showed significantly higher values in BT than in EVOO. EVOO had the lowest values of plasmatic insulin, correlating inversely with Desulfovibrio, and had the lowest plasmatic values of leptin which correlated inversely with Sutterellaceae, Marispirillum and Mucilaginibacter dageonensis, the three showing significantly higher percentages in EVOO. The lowest total cholesterol levels in plasma were detected in SD, correlating positively with Prevotella and Fusicatenibacter, both taxa with significantly greater presence in SD. These results may be indicative of a link between specific diets, certain physiological parameters and the prevalence of some taxa, supporting the possibility that in some of the proposed effects of virgin olive oil the modulation of intestinal microbiota could be involved.

The Role of High Fat Diets and Liver Peptidase Activity in the Development of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Wistar Rats

“…These results suggest that the unsaturated dietary fatty acids and the quantity of dietary fat may have a significant effect on the regulation of thermogenic conditions. At the same time, these effects could be related to the polyphenols present in VOO [13,67].…”

“…Several studies have indicated relationships between the saturation of dietary fat and the concentrations of total plasma cholesterol and higher blood pressure [5], hepatic steatosis [6], adipose chronic inflammation [6], ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and brown fat [6], overweight [6,7], hyperinsulinemia [7], and hepatic insulin resistance [8]. However, high fat diets that are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids exert a protective role [9][10][11][12][13][14][15].High monounsaturated fatty acids diets also have demonstrated an effect on the secretion of the insulinotropic peptide GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) [16,17]. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone with antidiabetic action that is capable of stimulating insulin secretion [18,19], increasing beta cell neogenesis [20], inhibiting beta cell apoptosis [20], inhibiting glucagon secretion [21], delaying gastric emptying, and inducing satiety [20,21].…”

“…Several studies have indicated relationships between the saturation of dietary fat and the concentrations of total plasma cholesterol and higher blood pressure [5], hepatic steatosis [6], adipose chronic inflammation [6], ectopic lipid deposition in the liver and brown fat [6], overweight [6,7], hyperinsulinemia [7], and hepatic insulin resistance [8]. However, high fat diets that are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids exert a protective role [9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

High Oleic Acid Peanut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil Supplementation Attenuate Metabolic Syndrome in Rats by Modulating the Gut Microbiota

“…Accumulating experimental evidence has suggested that the human gut microbiota plays a fundamental role in the metabolic capacity for processing nutrients and host health [30][31][32]. Recent research indicates the possibility that in attenuating MS effects of virgin olive oil the modulation of intestinal microbiota could be involved in [25]. EVOO diet-fed mice had significant lower body weight than butter groups (p < 0.01), although EVOO group had a higher food intake level.…”

“…These beneficial biological activities have been attributed not only to the high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content but also to the minor bioactive phytochemicals [24]. Recent research indicates the possibility that virgin olive oil may attenuate MS associated with modulation of intestinal microbiota [25]. Similarly, HOPO is also rich in MUFA (providing up to 80% of the fatty acid composition, similar even higher level to olive oil) and minor bioactive phytochemicals, such as polyphenol, phytosterols, and vitamin E, etc.…”