Study on the Interaction between Four Typical Carotenoids and Human Gut Microflora Using an in Vitro Fermentation Model

Abstract

Recent studies indicated a strong relationship between carotenoids and gut microflora. However, their structure− activity relationship remains unclear. This study evaluated the interaction between four typical carotenoids (β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin) and gut microflora using an in vitro fermentation model. After 24 h of fermentation, the retention rates of the four carotenoids were 1.40, 1.38, 1.46, and 5.63 times lower than those of their without gut microflora control groups, respectively. All four carotenoid treated groups significantly increased total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production. All carotenoid supplements significantly promoted the abundance of Roseburia and Parasutterella and inhibited the abundance of Collinsella, while β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and astaxanthin significantly promoted the abundance of Ruminococcus, Sutterella, Subdoligranulum, and Megamonas, respectively. Furthermore, xanthophylls have a more significant impact on gut microflora than carotenes. This study provides a new way to understand how carotenoids work in the human body with the existing gut microflora.

Lutein combined with EGCG improved retinitis pigmentosa against N-methyl-N nitrosourea-induced

“…After the MNU treatment, the content of total SCFAs was significantly decreased by 45.32% compared with the CON group (Table 3). The content of SCFAs in the LUT group was 8.93% higher than that in the CON group, which was consistent with the results of Dai et al 22 The contents of acetic acid, propionic acid and n -butyric acid were significantly increased by 90.61%, 34.20%, and 155.15% after LUT treatment, respectively ( p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the content of total SCFAs in mice treated with EGCG was 29.95 ± 0.69 mmol g −1 , which was 8.63% higher than that in the MNU group.…”

“…20,21 The latest report from our team using an in vitro fermentation model observed that LUT had a more significant impact on gut microflora than carotenes. 22 Similarly it has been found that EGCG treatment stimulated the growth of beneficial bacteria; meanwhile, it was degraded into a series of metabolites. 23 However, there is cur-rently no report on whether intake of LUT combined with EGCG can improve RP by regulating the gut microbiota.…”

Lycopene prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through regulating hepatic NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and intestinal microbiota in mice fed with high-fat and high-fructose diet

“…Otherwise, in HFD-induced obese mice, dietary supplementation of 10 mg/kg LY significantly enhanced total cecal SCFAs concentrations ( 48 ). In an in vitro fermentation model, LY treatment also notably increased total SCFAs production of human gut flora ( 49 ). Collectively, we suppose the suppression of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in liver might be at least partially related to the modulation of intestinal microbiota and the microbial metabolites.…”

Carotenoids Diet: Digestion, Gut Microbiota Modulation, and Inflammatory Diseases

“…In nature, the bioavailability of carotenoids is reduced [ 1 , 20 ] without processing or any type of treatment, leading to an accumulation in the colon [ 27 ], which is colonized by a large number of microorganisms [ 28 ] that play important roles in digestion and metabolism [ 29 ], as well as in maintaining normal gut physiology and health [ 30 ].…”