Shining light on microbial signaling to distant organs

Scope Targeting gut microbiota dysbiosis by prebiotics is effective, though side effects such as abdominal bloating and flatulence may arise following high prebiotic consumption over weeks. The aim is therefore to optimize the current protocol for prebiotic use. Methods and results To examine the prebiotic properties of plant extracts, two independent studies are conducted in ob/ob mice, over two weeks. In the first study, Porphyra umbilicalis and Melissa officinalis L. extracts are evaluated; in the second study, a high vs low dose of an Emblica officinalis Gaertn extract is assessed. These plant extracts affect gut microbiota, caecum metabolome, and induce a significant lower plasma triacylglycerols (TG) following treatment with P. umbilicalis and significantly higher plasma free fatty acids (FFA) following treatment with the low‐dose of E. officinalis Gaertn. Glucose‐ and insulin‐tolerance are not affected but white adipose tissue and liver gene expression are modified. In the first study, IL‐6 hepatic gene expression is significantly (adjusted p = 0.0015) and positively (r = 0.80) correlated with the bacterial order Clostridiales in all mice. Conclusion The data show that a two‐week treatment with plant extracts affects the dysbiotic gut microbiota and changes both caecum metabolome and markers of lipid metabolism in ob/ob mice.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Analysis Of Markers Of Lipid Metabolism In the Plasma Of Ob/mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Analysis Of Markers Of Glucose Metabolism and Survey Of Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Two‐Week Treatment with Plant Extracts Changes Gut Microbiota, Caecum Metabolome, and Markers of Lipid Metabolism in ob/ob Mice

Brochot

Azalbert

Landrier

et al. 2019

“…It was demonstrated that germfree mice (GFm) are resistant to dietinduced obesity. [2] Moreover, colonization of GFm with microbiota from conventional raised donors leads to a marked increase in body fat mass and development of insulin resistance thus demonstrating that the microbiota is related to the onset of the metabolic syndrome. [3] Furthermore, gut microbiota may provide potential harmful molecules to the liver through the gut-liver axis, contributing to establish a chronic low-grade inflammation state and, promoting the NAFLD progression.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional Interactions between Gut Microbiota Transplantation, Quercetin, and High‐Fat Diet Determine Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development in Germ‐Free Mice

Porras

Nistal

Martínez‐Flórez

et al. 2019

Scope Modulation of intestinal microbiota has emerged as a new therapeutic approach for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Herein, it is addressed whether gut microbiota modulation by quercetin and intestinal microbiota transplantation can influence NAFLD development. Methods and results Gut microbiota donor mice are selected according to their response to high‐fat diet (HFD) and quercetin in terms of obesity and NAFLD‐related biomarkers. Germ‐free recipients displayed metabolic phenotypic differences derived from interactions between microbiota transplanted, diets, and quercetin. Based on the evaluation of hallmark characteristics of NAFLD, it is found that gut microbiota transplantation from the HFD‐non‐responder donor and the HFD‐fed donor with the highest response to quercetin results in a protective phenotype against HFD‐induced NAFLD, in a mechanism that involves gut–liver axis alteration blockage in these receivers. Gut microbiota from the HFD‐responder donor predisposed transplanted germ‐free mice to NAFLD. Divergent protective and deleterious metabolic phenotypes exhibited are related to definite microbial profiles in recipients, highlighting the predominant role of Akkermansia genus in the protection from obesity‐associated NAFLD development. Conclusions The results provide scientific support for the prebiotic capacity of quercetin and the transfer of established metabolic profiles through gut microbiota transplantation as a protective strategy against the development of obesity‐related NAFLD.

“…GF male mice have improved glucose and insulin tolerance as compared to GF males conventionalized at birth or two weeks before measurement, however, this was not compared to regular conventional mice. [29,35] Early-life and adult antibiotic treatment in mice improved glucose tolerance presumably via altering microbiota and LPS exposure, but this effect did not last beyond the antibiotic treatment. [36,37] Early-life antibiotics in a swine model induced a minimal decrease in glucose tolerance via short-chain fatty acid signaling and pancreatic development, together with only a transient change in microbiota composition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Absence of Intestinal Microbiota during Gestation and Lactation Does Not Alter the Metabolic Response to a Western‐type Diet in Adulthood

Lohuis

Werkman

Harmsen

et al. 2018

Scope Microbiota composition in early life is implied to affect the risk to develop obesity in adulthood. It is unclear whether this risk is due to long‐lasting microbiome‐induced changes in host metabolism. This study aims to identify whether the presence or total absence of early‐life microbiota affects host metabolism in adulthood. Methods and results The effects of a germ‐free (Former GF) versus conventional status during gestation and lactation on the metabolic status in adult offspring are compared. Upon conventionalization at weaning, all mice were metabolically challenged with a Western‐type diet (WTD) at 10 weeks age. Between age 10 and 30 weeks, a former GF status does not notably affect overall body weight gain, cholesterol metabolism, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity at adult age. However, Former GF mice have lower bile flow and bile acid secretion in adulthood, but similar bile acid composition. Conclusions A germ‐free status during gestation and lactation does not substantially affect key parameters of the metabolic status before 10 weeks of age on chow diet or in adulthood following a WTD challenge. These data imply that microbiota in early life does not critically affect adult metabolic plasticity.