The Timing Effects of Soy Protein Intake on Mice Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Soy protein intake is known to cause microbiota changes. While there are some reports about the effect of soy protein intake on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism, effective timing of soy protein intake has not been investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of soy protein intake timing on microbiota. Mice were fed twice a day, in the morning and evening, to compare the effect of soy protein intake in the morning with that in the evening. Mice were divided into three groups: mice fed only casein protein, mice fed soy protein in the morning, and mice fed soy protein in the evening under high-fat diet conditions. They were kept under the experimental condition for two weeks and were sacrificed afterward. We measured cecal pH and collected cecal contents and feces. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from cecal contents were measured by gas chromatography. The microbiota was analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA genes from feces. Soy protein intake whether in the morning or evening led to a greater microbiota diversity and a decrease in cecal pH resulting from SCFA production compared to casein intake. In addition, these effects were relatively stronger by morning soy protein intake. Therefore, soy protein intake in the morning may have relatively stronger effects on microbiota than that in the evening.

The Combined Effects of Magnesium Oxide and Inulin on Intestinal Microbiota and Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids

“…Cecal SCFA concentrations were calculated as µmol/mg of dry cecal weight. This procedure of quantitative SCFA and lactic acid analysis was established in our papers [37,38,40].…”

“…Likewise, the study on effective nutrient intake timing in relation to the biological circadian rhythm is called chrononutrition. Previous studies have shown the importance of chronopharmacology and chrononutrition [36][37][38].…”

Relationship between Diet, Microbiota, and Healthy Aging

“…Specifically, they observed an increase in Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, as well as in Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus. On the other hand, they also addressed a decrease in Firmicutes and Lactococcus [ 66 ].…”

Nutrition, Microbiota and Noncommunicable Diseases

“…Inulin consumption at breakfast has a greater effect on the microbiota [15]. Tamura et al [16] investigated soy protein intake effects on intestinal microbiota. Soy protein intake whether in the morning or evening led to a greater microbiota diversity and a decrease in cecal pH resulting from SCFA production compared with casein intake [16].…”

“…Tamura et al [16] investigated soy protein intake effects on intestinal microbiota. Soy protein intake whether in the morning or evening led to a greater microbiota diversity and a decrease in cecal pH resulting from SCFA production compared with casein intake [16]. Finally, Ahn et al [17] investigated the metabolomics changes in rats that received amlodipine.…”