Olive-Derived Antioxidant Dietary Fiber Modulates Gut Microbiota Composition and Attenuates Atopic Dermatitis Like Inflammation in Mice

Scope

Epidemiological data suggest that altered gut microbiota contributes to the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). The effect of an olive-derived antioxidant dietary fiber (OADF) in relieving AD symptoms in a murine model of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD is examined and the effect of OADF in modulating host gut microbiota is explored.

Methods and results

Mice are fed with either standard diet or standard diet + OADF for 3 weeks prior to induction of AD and maintained on the same diet throughout the DNFB application period. Dietary OADF causes significant improvement of AD-like symptoms with reduced serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)E, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL)1, and increased serum levels of IL-10. OADF supplementation restore gut microbiota composition that are altered in AD mice. Specifically, OADF increases the proportion of intestinal bacteria (Ruminococcaceae UCG014, GCA900066575, UBA1819) associated with enhanced butyrate production, along with inhibiting Clostridiales vadin BB60 which are more prevalent in AD mice.

Conclusion

OADF modulates gut microbiota composition, improves cytokine profile and butyrate production influencing AD-associated immune response. Results highlight the importance of the gut-skin axis for the AD dietary therapeutic agents.     

Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides Modulate Gut Microbiota,Increase Fecal Bile Acid Excretion,and Decrease Plasma Cholesterol and Atherosclerosis Development

1 Scope

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) have proven effective at improving growth performance, while also reducing hyperlipidemia and inflammation. As atherosclerosis is accelerated both by hyperlipidemia and inflammation, we aim to determine the effect of dietary MOS on atherosclerosis development in hyperlipidemic ApoE*3‐Leiden.CETP (E3L.CETP) mice, a well‐established model for human‐like lipoprotein metabolism.

2 Methods and results

Female E3L.CETP mice were fed a high‐cholesterol diet, with or without 1% MOS for 14 weeks. MOS substantially decreased atherosclerotic lesions up to 54%, as assessed in the valve area of the aortic root. In blood, IL‐1RA, monocyte subtypes, lipids, and bile acids (BAs) were not affected by MOS. Gut microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and MOS increased the abundance of cecal Bacteroides ovatus. MOS did not affect fecal excretion of cholesterol, but increased fecal BAs as well as butyrate in cecum as determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

3 Conclusion

MOS decreased the onset of atherosclerosis development via lowering of plasma cholesterol levels. These effects were accompanied by increased cecal butyrate and fecal excretion of BAs, presumably mediated via interactions of MOS with the gut microbiota.     

Green tea polyphenols reduce obesity in high‐fat diet‐induced mice by modulating intestinal microbiota composition

In this study, the modulatory effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on human intestinal microbiota was investigated. Firstly, germ‐free mice were inoculated with faecal suspension derived from healthy volunteers to obtain human flora‐associated (HFA) mice model. When the high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice model was successfully established, they were randomly divided into high‐fat diet group (HFD) and high‐fat diet group with GTP (HFD‐GTP), and the shifts in relative abundance of the dominant taxa at the phylum, family and genus levels were studied by high‐throughput sequencing. The diversity of the total bacterial community reached the maximum after GTP treatment for 3 weeks, and then decreased when the mice were fed without GTP. Despite interindividual variation, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes increased from 0.56 ± 0.06 (1st week) to 0.60 ± 0.05 (3th week), while Firmicutes decreased from 0.42 ± 0.06 to 0.37 ± 0.02. Interestingly, certain bacterial communities such as Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria still increased and Firmicutes showed a decreasing trend when the mice were fed without GTP (4th week). The results showed that GTP benefits the stability of certain gut microbiota, especially in an environment‐triggered microbial imbalance; therefore, it may have prebiotic‐like activity contributing to the prevention of obesity.     

Fermented Pineapple Juice Consumption Limits Metabolic Disorders Associated to Sugary Drinks on High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Scope

Lactic acid fermentation (LAF) modulates the composition of food, leading to changes in safety, sensory, and nutritional properties. The effects of lactic fermented pineapple juice (FJ) supplementation on energetic metabolism of high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice are compared with either water (control), sweetened water (SW), bacteria in SW, and pineapple juice (J) supplementation.

Methods and results

Drink consumption and body weight are measured during the 6 weeks of experiment, whereas glycemia and lipid content are determined at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Total energy intake is similar between all groups though the volume of juice consumed is lower than that of SWs. Weight gain is higher for mice provided with sugary drinks (5.65 ± 1.32 to 7.74 ± 2.98 g) compared to water (4.68 ± 0.93 g). The FJ is less detrimental to blood carbohydrate regulation than other sugary drinks. Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol content are not modified following fermented juice or water consumption, contrarily to other sugary drinks. Whatever the drink, intestinal permeability is preserved. Lactic acid bacterium (LAB) population in feces is not affected by the beverage but species composition is modified.

Conclusion

From a health perspective, FJ is preferable to other sugary drinks to limit metabolic disorders related to HFD.     

(+)-Catechin Attenuates Multiple Atherosclerosis-Associated Processes In Vitro,Modulates Disease-Associated Risk Factors in C57BL/6J Mice and Reduces Atherogenesis in LDL Receptor Deficient Mice by Inhibiting Inflammation and Increasing Markers of Plaque Stability

Scope

A prospective study of 34492 participants shows an inverse association between (+)-catechin intake and coronary heart disease. The effects of (+)-catechin on atherosclerosis and associated risk factors are poorly understood and are investigated.

Methods and results

(+)-Catechin attenuates reactive oxygen species production in human macrophages, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, chemokine-driven monocytic migration, and proliferation of human macrophages and their expression of several pro-atherogenic genes. (+)-Catechin also improves oxidized LDL-mediated mitochondrial membrane depolarization in endothelial cells and attenuates growth factor-induced smooth muscle cell migration. In C57BL/6J mice fed high fat diet (HFD) for 3 weeks, (+)-catechin attenuates plasma levels of triacylglycerol and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-2, produces anti-atherogenic changes in liver gene expression, and reduces levels of white blood cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, Lin⁻ Sca⁺ c-Kit⁺ cells, and common lymphoid progenitor cells within the bone marrow. In LDL receptor deficient mice fed HFD for 12 weeks, (+)-catechin attenuates atherosclerotic plaque burden and inflammation with reduced macrophage content and increased markers of plaque stability; smooth muscle cell and collagen content.

Conclusion

This study provides novel, detailed insights into the cardio-protective actions of (+)-catechin together with underlying molecular mechanisms and supports further assessments of its beneficial effects in human trials.     

Whey and Buttermilk-Based Formulas Modulate Gut Microbiota in Mice with Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis

Scope

Diet is one of the main factors that modifies intestinal microbiota composition. The search for foods that can reverse situations of intestinal dysbiosis such as that induced by antibiotics is of great interest. Buttermilk and whey are the main by-products produced by the dairy industry containing bioactive compounds. The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of whey and buttermilk-based formulas supplemented with lactoferrin and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) to modulate the effects of clindamycin on mouse intestinal microbiota.

Methods and results

Male C57BL/6 mice are treated with saline (control), clindamycin (Clin), a formula containing whey (F1) or buttermilk (F2), Clin+F1 or Clin+F2, and their fecal microbiota profiles are analyzed by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene using the MinION device. Clin induces alterations in both the composition and metabolic functions of the mice intestinal microbiota. The treatment with F1 or F2 reverses the effects of clindamycin, restoring the levels of Rikenellaceae and Lactobacillaceae families and certain pathways related to short-chain fatty acids production and tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis.

Conclusion

Whey and buttermilk supplemented with lactoferrin and MFGM may be a bioactive formula for functional foods to prevent or restore microbiota alterations induced by antibiotic administration.     

刺梨多糖对非酒精性脂肪肝小鼠回肠黏膜屏障功能的影响

为研究刺梨多糖（Rosa roxburghii Tratt polysaccharides,RTFP）对非酒精性脂肪肝（non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,NAFLD）诱导的小鼠回肠肠道黏膜屏障功能障碍和肠道炎症的改善作用,以及刺梨多糖对肠道菌群的影响,本研究采用高脂肪饮食（high fat diet,HFD）喂养小鼠,构建NAFLD小鼠模型,然后灌胃RTFP,干预7周。结果表明,RTFP可显著降低NAFLD诱导的小鼠回肠炎症因子和氧化应激水平,改善脂质代谢紊乱状况。微观组织病理学观察发现,RTFP可以使小鼠回肠结构形态趋向于正常水平,减少隐窝病变,保护肠道屏障。通过16S rRNA高通量测序评估各处理组小鼠粪便微生物群的变化,发现RTFP可调节NAFLD小鼠肠道菌群的多样性和组成,厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）与拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）比值明显降低,提高了有益菌群的相对丰度,降低了病原菌群的相对丰度。RTFP可以作为一种益生元调节肠道菌群,改善NAFLD模型小鼠的肠道微生态,减轻肠道屏障功能障碍,维持肠道正常功能。     

虾青素酯对高脂高糖饮食致小鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的:研究虾青素酯对小鼠高脂高糖饮食(HFD)导致胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法:采用高脂高糖饲养的方法建立胰岛素抵抗小鼠模型,雄性C57小鼠随机分为6组:正常组(低脂低糖饲料)、模型组(HFD)、溶剂对照组、藻油来源虾青酯组、丁酸虾青素双酯组和硬脂酸虾青素双酯组。灌胃剂量为50 mg/(kg·bw),连续灌胃60 d后,检测空腹血糖、葡萄糖耐受量、血清胰岛素水平、血清内毒素(LPS)水平,生物可接受率以及粪便短链脂肪酸含量,小肠组织切片观察小肠形态。结果:丁酸虾青素双酯能显著降低胰岛素抵抗小鼠的血清胰岛素和LPS的含量(P<0.05),改善糖耐量及胰岛素抵抗(P<0.01);改善小肠形态,显著增加小肠绒毛长度和绒毛长度与隐窝深度比值(P<0.05);明显提高粪便中短链脂肪酸的含量。结论:丁酸虾青素双酯可显著改善高脂高糖饮食导致的小鼠胰岛素抵抗反应,效果优于天然藻油来源虾青素和硬脂酸虾青素双酯,作用机制可能与其改善肠屏障保护功能和调节肠道菌群产物LPS和短链脂肪酸有关。     

Gut Microbiota Influences the Photoperiod Effects on Proanthocyanidins Bioavailability in Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Scope

Polyphenols health effects on obesity are mainly attributed to their metabolites generated after their gastrointestinal digestion, in which gut microbiota plays an important role. Moreover, gut microbiota composition and polyphenols bioavailability are influenced by differences in day light length (photoperiod). Thus, this study evaluates if a grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPEs) extract bioavailability is influenced by different photoperiod exposure via gut microbiota modulation in an obesogenic context.

Methods and results

Cafeteria diet-induced obese Fischer 344 rats are housed under different photoperiod conditions (6, 12, or 18 h of light per day) during 9 weeks and administered with GSPE (25 mg kg⁻¹) or GSPE and an antibiotic cocktail (ABX) for the last 4 weeks. Serum GSPE-derived metabolites are quantified by HPLC-MS/MS.

Conclusion

A higher bioavailability is observed under 6 h light/18 h darkness (L6) compared to 18 h light/6 h darkness (L18). Individual metabolites, especially those from the gut microbiota, are affected by photoperiods. ABX treatment alters these photoperiod-mediated changes. Therefore, these results suggest that gut microbiota plays a key role in the photoperiod effects on GSPE bioavailability in obese rats.     

Barley Products of Different Fiber Composition Selectively Change Microbiota Composition in Rats

1 Scope

Several dietary fiber properties are suggested to be important for the profiling of the microbiota composition, but those characteristics are rather unclear. Whether different physico‐chemical properties of barley dietary fiber influence the gut microbiota composition is investigated.

2 Methods and results

Seven diets containing equal amounts of dietary fiber from barley malts, brewer's spent grain (BSG), and barley extracts, resulting in varying amounts of β‐glucan, soluble arabinoxylan, and insoluble arabinoxylan in the diets were given to conventional rats. Malts increased microbiota alpha diversity more than BSG and the extracts. The intake of soluble arabinoxylan was related to Akkermansia and propionic acid formation in the cecum of rats, whereas β‐glucan and/or insoluble arabinoxylan were attributed to some potentially butyrate‐producing bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus, Blautia, and Allobaculum).

3 Conclusion

This study demonstrates that there is a potential to stimulate butyrate‐ and propionate‐producing bacteria in the cecum of rats with malt products of specific fiber properties. Moreover, BSG, a by product from beer production, added to malt can possibly be used to further modulate the microbiota composition, toward a higher butyric acid formation. A complex mixture of fiber as in the malts is of greater importance for microbiota diversity than purer fiber extracts.     

Green Tea Liquid Consumption Alters the Human Intestinal and Oral Microbiome

1 Scope

GTPs (green tea polyphenols) exert anti‐CRC (colorectal cancer) activity. The intestinal microbiota and intestinal colonization by bacteria of oral origin has been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. GT modulates the composition of mouse gut microbiota harmonious with anticancer activity. Therefore, the effect of green tea liquid (GTL) consumption on the gut and oral microbiome is investigated in healthy volunteers (n = 12).

2 Methods and results

16S sequencing and phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) analysis of both fecal and saliva samples (collected before intervention, after 2 weeks of GTL (400 mL per day) and after a washout period of one week) in healthy volunteers show changes in microbial diversity and core microbiota and difference in clear classification (partial least squares‐discriminant analysis [PLS‐DA]). An irreversible, increased FIR:BAC (Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio), elevated SCFA producing genera, and reduction of bacterial LPS synthesis in feces are discovered in response to GTL. GTL alters the salivary microbiota and reduces the functional pathways abundance relevance to carcinogenesis. Similar bacterial networks in fecal and salivary microbiota datasets comprising putative oral bacteria are found and GTL reduces the fecal levels of Fusobacterium. Interestingly, both Lachnospiraceae and B/E (Bifidobacterium to Enterobacteriacea ratio—markers of colonization resistance [CR]) are negatively associated with the presence of oral‐like bacterial networks in the feces.

3 Conclusion

These results suggest that GTL consumption causes both oral and gut microbiome alterations.     

Micronutrients in High-Fat Diet Modify Insulin Resistance and Its Regulatory Genes in Adult Male Mice

Scope

Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) are associated with epigenetic changes of gene expression. However, the relationship between micronutrients, epigenetic regulation of gene expression, and IR during development of diet-induced obesity has yet to be defined. Our objective is to describe the effect of micronutrient addition to diets on IR and its related genes during obesity development.

Methods and results

Male C57BL/6J mice are fed a high-fat (HFD) or low-fat (LFD) diets with or without a multi-vitamin mineral mix (MVM) addition containing vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, and Zn, and Se for 9 weeks. Compared to LFD mice, HFD mice have higher body weight, IR, fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, and hepatic triglyceride concentrations, and dysregulated gene expression in liver, muscle, pancreas, and fat tissues (p < 0.05). The addition of MVM reduces these HFD-induced effects. HFD downregulates 27 genes associated with insulin regulation and adipose tissue function across all tissues by an average of 47% and upregulates five genes by 230% (p < 0.001). Adding MVM downregulates five genes and upregulates one in HFD-fed mice. Both HFD and MVM alter one-carbon metabolites.

Conclusion

Addition of micronutrients to the HFD decreases IR and modifies associated gene expression in obese and lean mice.     

Effects of Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune function in mice

Probiotics exert health benefits on human and animals when administered in adequate amounts. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on intestinal colonisation and immune function of BALB/c mice. Six-week-old female BALB/c mice were orally administered with E. faecium (SF68). Results showed that the total anaerobe and lactobacilli in the faeces increased (P < 0.05), while the number of faecal enterobacteria decreased (P < 0.05) in E. faecium-fed mice. Furthermore, supplementation of E. faecium (SF68) increased the percentage of double positive (DP) cells in peripheral blood, the concentration of plasma IgG, and the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in splenocytes of the mice (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that E. faecium SF68 affects the intestinal microbial flora and modulates the immune responses, which indicates a viable probiotic characteristic of E. faecium SF68 in modification of immune function.     

High‐fat Diet‐induced Intestinal Hyperpermeability is Associated with Increased Bile Acids in the Large Intestine of Mice

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by low‐grade chronic systemic inflammation, which is associated with intestinal hyperpermeability. This study examined the effects of 3 high‐fat diets (HFDs) composed of different fat sources (soybean oil and lard) on the intestinal permeability, tight junction (TJ) protein expression, and cecal bile acid (BA) concentrations in mice, and then analyzed their interrelations. C57/BL6 mice were fed the control diet, HFD (soybean oil), HFD (lard), and HFD (mix; containing equal concentrations of soybean oil and lard) for 8 wk. Glucose tolerance, intestinal permeability, TJ protein expression, and cecal BA concentration were evaluated. Feeding with the 3 HDFs similarly increased body weight, liver weight, and fat pad weight, and induced glucose intolerance and intestinal hyperpermeability. The expression of TJ proteins, zonula occludens‐2 and junctional adhesion molecule‐A, were lower in the colons of the 3 HFD groups than in the control group (P < 0.05), and these changes appeared to be related to intestinal hyperpermeability. Feeding with HFDs increased total secondary BA (SBA) and total BA concentrations along with increases in some individual BAs in the cecum. Significant positive correlations between intestinal permeability and the concentrations of most SBAs, such as deoxycholic acid and ω‐muricholic acids, were detected (P < 0.05). These results suggest that the HFD‐induced intestinal hyperpermeability is associated with increased BA secretion. The abundance of SBAs in the large intestine may be responsible for the hyperpermeability.     

High-protein compound yogurt with quinoa improved clinical features and metabolism of high-fat diet–induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may be influenced by nutritional supplementation. Quinoa, a type of pseudocereal, has gained prominence due to its high nutritional value and diverse applications. This study aimed to determine whether yogurt containing quinoa can ameliorate NAFLD and alleviate metabolic disorders by protecting against the divergence of gut microbiota. Our findings suggested that quinoa yogurt could significantly reduce the body weight gain and fat tissue weight of high-fat diet (HFD)–fed obese mice. In addition, quinoa yogurt significantly reduced liver steatosis and enhanced glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Additional research indicates that quinoa yogurt can reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and inhibit endotoxemia and systemic inflammation. The characteristics of the gut microbiota were then determined by analyzing 16S rRNA. In addition, we discovered that the gut microbiota was disturbed by HFD consumption. Particularly, intestinal probiotics and beneficial intestinal secretions were increased, leading to the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 in the colon, contributing to NAFLD. Furthermore, endotoxemia and systemic inflammation in HFD-fed mice were restored to the level of control mice when they were fed yogurt and quinoa. Therefore, yogurt containing quinoa can effectively alleviate NAFLD symptoms and may exert its effects via microbiome-gut-liver axis mechanisms. According to some research, the role of the enteric-liver axis may also influence metabolic disorders to reduce the development of NAFLD.     

铁皮石斛多糖对高脂饮食小鼠肠腔菌群的影响

目的 探究铁皮石斛多糖(Dendrobium officinale polysaccharides,DOP)对高脂饮食小鼠肠腔菌群的影响,为其功能性食品的开发提供参考.方法 以水提醇沉法提取DOP,分别以高脂饮食(high fat diet,HFD)、高脂饮食联合DOP对昆明小鼠干预8周,收集小鼠小肠段的内容物进行16...     

Acid-treated high-amylose corn starch suppresses high-fat diet-induced steatosis

Resistant starch (RS) has been reported to improve steatosis as well as obesity. Type 4 resistant starch (RS4), a chemically modified starch, is particularly hard to digest and suggesting higher efficacy. However, because the effects of RS4 on steatosis are not yet fully understood, the effects of RS4 on steatosis were examined using a murine high-fat diet model. Seven-week-old male mice were divided into three groups and fed a normal diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or a high-fat diet with added RS (HFD + RS). Amylofiber SH^® produced from acid-treated corn starch was used as the dietary RS. At 22 weeks old, hepatic steatosis and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) content and gut microbiota in cecum stool samples were analyzed. The ratio of body weight to 7 weeks was significantly suppressed in the HFD + RS group compared to the HFD group (132.2 ± 1.4% vs. 167.2 ± 3.9%, p = 0.0076). Macroscopic and microscopic steatosis was also suppressed in the HFD + RS group. Analysis of cecum stool samples revealed elevated SCFA levels in the HFD + RS group compared with the HFD group. Metagenome analysis revealed that Bifidobacterium (17.9 ± 1.9% vs. 3.6 ± 0.7%, p = 0.0019) and Lactobacillus (14.8 ± 3.4% vs. 0.72 ± 0.23%, p = 0.0045), which degrade RS to SCFA, were more prevalent in the HFD + RS group than the HFD group. In conclusion, RS4 suppressed steatosis, and increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, and SCFAs. RS4 may prevent steatosis by modulating the intestinal environment.     

枸杞多糖对过敏性哮喘小鼠肠道菌群的影响

探讨枸杞多糖(Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide,LBP)对过敏性哮喘小鼠肠道菌群的影响。本研究将C57BL/6小鼠随机分为3组:空白对照组、过敏性哮喘模型组与LBP干预哮喘疾病组。在LBP干预7周后,分别观察了小鼠的常规状况,HE染色检测了肺组织病理改变,16 S rRNA测序分析了肠道菌群的多样性改变。研究结果表明,LBP干预小鼠哮喘表现显著缓解,呼吸频促的程度较轻,无口唇爪甲黯淡。HE病理染色表明,LBP干预后炎症细胞浸润显著减少,病理损伤明显减轻。为了进一步研究相关机制,又检测了LBP干预后的肠道菌群的多样性改变。测序分析结果表明,LBP干预哮喘疾病组显著改变了肠道菌门水平的厚壁菌门(p=0.0351)和拟杆菌门(p=0.0015);在菌群属水平上显著改变了乳酸菌属(p=0.0105)、梭菌属(p=0.0027)、拟杆菌属(p=0.0385)与Alistipes菌属(p=0.0467)。结果说明,LBP改善过敏性哮喘并改变了肠道菌群的组成,可能丰富哮喘的发病机制与提供新的防治手段。     

Bovine milk oligosaccharides decrease gut permeability and improve inflammation and microbial dysbiosis in diet-induced obese mice

Obesity is characterized by altered gut homeostasis, including dysbiosis and increased gut permeability closely linked to the development of metabolic disorders. Milk oligosaccharides are complex sugars that selectively enhance the growth of specific beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and could be used as prebiotics. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the effects of bovine milk oligosaccharides (BMO) and Bifidobacterium longum ssp. infantis (B. infantis) on restoring diet-induced obesity intestinal microbiota and barrier function defects in mice. Male C57/BL6 mice were fed a Western diet (WD, 40% fat/kcal) or normal chow (C, 14% fat/kcal) for 7 wk. During the final 2 wk of the study, the diet of a subgroup of WD-fed mice was supplemented with BMO (7% wt/wt). Weekly gavage of B. infantis was performed in all mice starting at wk 3, yet B. infantis could not be detected in any luminal contents when mice were killed. Supplementation of the WD with BMO normalized the cecal and colonic microbiota with increased abundance of Lactobacillus compared with both WD and C mice and restoration of Allobaculum and Ruminococcus levels to that of C mice. The BMO supplementation reduced WD-induced increase in paracellular and transcellular flux in the large intestine as well as mRNA levels of the inflammatory marker tumor necrosis factor α. In conclusion, BMO are promising prebiotics to modulate gut microbiota and intestinal barrier function for enhanced health.     

Physiological relevance of food grade microcapsules: Impact of milk protein based microcapsules on inflammation in mouse models for inflammatory bowel diseases

In order to increase beneficial effects of bioactive compounds in functional food and dietary supplements, enormous efforts are put in the technological development of microcapsules. Although these products are often tailor‐made for disease susceptible consumer, the physiological impact of microcapsule uptake on the respective target consumer has never been addressed. The present study aimed to assess the relevance of this aspect by analyzing the impact of milk protein based microcapsules on experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Long‐term feeding of sodium caseinate or rennet gel microcapsules resulted in significant alterations in the intestinal microbiota of healthy mice. In TNFΔARE/wt mice, a model for chronic ileal inflammation, rennet gel microcapsules resulted in further increased splenomegaly, whereas ileal inflammation was unchanged. In IL10^?/? mice, a model for chronic colitis, both types of microcapsules induced a local increase of the intestinal inflammation. The present study is the first to demonstrate that, independent of their cargo, microcapsules have the potential to affect the intestinal microbiota and to exert unprecedented detrimental effects on disease‐susceptible individuals. In conclusion, the impact of microcapsule uptake on the respective target consumer groups should be thoroughly investigated in advance to their commercial use in functional food or dietary supplements.