Reshaping faecal gut microbiota composition by the intake of trans-resveratrol and quercetin in high-fat sucrose diet-fed rats

Abstract

Diet-induced obesity is associated to an imbalance in the normal gut microbiota composition.Resveratrol and quercetin, widely known for their health beneficial properties, have low bioavailability and, when reach the colon, they are targets of the gut microbial ecosystem. Hence, the use of these molecules in obesity might be considered as a potential strategy to modulate intestinal bacterial composition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether trans-resveratrol and quercetin administration could counteract gut microbiota dysbiosis produced by high-fat sucrose diet (HFS) and in turn, improve gut health. Wistar rats were randomized into four groups fed a HFS diet supplemented or not with trans-resveratrol (15 mg/kg BW/day), quercetin (30 mg/kg BW/day) or a combination of both polyphenols at those doses. Administration of both polyphenols together prevented body-weight gain and reduced serum insulin levels. Moreover, individual supplementation of trans-resveratrol and quercetin effectively reduced serum insulin levels and insulin resistance.Quercetin supplementation generated a great impact on gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels, attenuating Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and inhibiting the growth of bacterial species previously associated to diet-induced obesity (Erysipelotrichaceae, Bacillus, Eubacterium 1 cylindroides). Overall, the administration of quercetin was found to be effective in lessening HFS dietinduced gut microbiota dysbiosis. In contrast, trans-resveratrol supplementation alone or in combination with quercetin, scarcely modified the profile of gut bacteria, but acted at intestinal level altering the mRNA expression of tight-junction proteins (TJPs) and inflammation associated genes.

Protective effect of quercetin on high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice is mediated by modulating intestinal microbiota imbalance and related gut-liver axis activation

“…It has been described that quercetin possesses anti-insulin resistance properties, ameliorating insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance [26,27]. Our results corroborate the modulatory capacity of quercetin on glucose homeostasis through the improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity despite the high fat diet intake, as previously described in an in vivo model of obesity in rats [16]. Moreover, the protective role of quercetin on glucose homeostasis was accompanied by a limited but significant reduction of body weight gain independent of food intake.…”

“…In this regard, we observed a HFD-related reduction in Akkermansia genus detection, which raised with quercetin treatment, as previously shown in association with obesity [16]. Similarly, betacyanins obtained from Red pitaya (Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruit also induced an increase in the relative abundance of Akkermansia at the genus level in HFD-fed mice [44].…”

“…Thereby, quercetin has low bioavailability and, as several flavonoids, it is target of the gut microbial ecosystem [16]. In the current study, quercetin supplementation in HFD-fed mice caused a great impact on gut microbiota composition at different taxonomic levels, counteracting the gut microbiota dysbiosis.…”

“…Previous in vitro and in vivo research indicated that flavonols have a prebiotic-like effect, playing a role on intestinal mucosa inflammation and permeability [13,15,16].…”

Gut microbiome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

“…Similarly, diet and obesity have been shown to be associated with imbalances in the gut microbiome (67,68). Owing to the fact that quercetin is known to be poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and the majority of the dosage reaches the colon intact (69,70), Etxeberria and colleagues postulated that oral administration of quercetin might exert some of its anti-obesity effects through alterations in the gut microbial ecosystem (71). The study authors induced dysbiosis of the gut microbiome by feeding Wistar rats a high-fat sucrose diet, and subsequently treating them with quercetin, trans-resveratol, or a combination of the two.…”