Pistachio Consumption Alleviates Inflammation and Improves Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Abstract

High-fat diet (HFD) induces inflammation and microbial dysbiosis, which are components of the metabolic syndrome. Nutritional strategies can be a valid tool to prevent metabolic and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the chronic intake of pistachio prevents obesity-associated inflammation and dysbiosis in HFD-fed mice. Three groups of male mice (four weeks old; n = 8 per group) were fed for 16 weeks with a standard diet (STD), HFD, or HFD supplemented with pistachios (HFD-P; 180 g/kg of HFD). Serum, hepatic and adipose tissue inflammation markers were analyzed in HFD-P animals and compared to HFD and STD groups. Measures of inflammation, obesity, and intestinal integrity were assessed. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis. Serum TNF-α and IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P compared to HFD. Number and area of adipocytes, crown-like structure density, IL-1β, TNF-α, F4-80, and CCL-2 mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced in HFD-P subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, compared to HFD. A significant reduction in the number of inflammatory foci and IL-1β and CCL-2 gene expression was observed in the liver of HFD-P mice compared with HFD. Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio was reduced in HFD-P mice in comparison to the HFD group. A pistachio diet significantly increased abundance of healthy bacteria genera such as Parabacteroides, Dorea, Allobaculum, Turicibacter, Lactobacillus, and Anaeroplasma, and greatly reduced bacteria associated with inflammation, such as Oscillospira, Desulfovibrio, Coprobacillus, and Bilophila. The intestinal conductance was lower in HFD-P mice than in the HFD mice, suggesting an improvement in the gut barrier function. The results of the present study showed that regular pistachio consumption improved inflammation in obese mice. The positive effects could be related to positive modulation of the microbiota composition.

Association of the Gut Microbiota with Weight-Loss Response within a Retail Weight-Management Program

“…Whether higher abundance of this species on the one hand indicates increased body fat, but on the other hand enhances responsiveness to energy-reduction warrants follow-up research. Further, Christensenella minuta has been linked with healthy body composition and Turicibacter with reduction in high-fat diet induced inflammation [59,60,69,70]. Our data showing negative correlation of Christensenella and Turicibacter with body-fat while undergoing weight-loss support these prior observations.…”

Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 Improves Physiological Adaptation and Performance in Triathletes through Gut Microbiota Modulation

“…In previous studies, the colitis induced by TNBS (2,4,6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid) or oxazolone model had revealed improvement in sulfate-reducing bacteria colonization, and Desulfovibrio could exacerbate the alterations with activation of the immune response and colitis development [ 42 ]. Also, high-fat diet-induced gut dysbiosis could modulate the abundance of Oscillospira , Desulfovibrio , Coprobacillus , and Bilophila associated with inflammation [ 43 ]. Another study has also demonstrated that oligosaccharides could ameliorate inflammation and its complications in high-fat diet-induced obesity by decreasing the abundances of the Desulfovibrio , Anaerotruncus , Mucispirillum , Roseburia , and Odoribacter [ 44 ].…”

Nuts as Dietary Source of Fatty Acids and Micro Nutrients in Human Health

“…Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation which eventually leads to abnormal metabolisms. A recent study conducted on mice demonstrated that chronic intake of pistachio exerts beneficial effects in obese mice by alleviating inflammation in adipose tissues and liver, and impacting the gut microbiome composition [94]. Nuts are very energy dense food item and there are reports of weight gain with increased consumption of nuts without energy balance.…”