Pterostilbene-induced changes in gut microbiota compositon in relation to obesity

Authors: ETXEBERRIA, USUNE - UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA; HIJONA, ELIZABETH - UNIVERSITY OF BASQUE COUNTRY; AGUIRRE, LEIXURI - UNIVERSITY OF BASQUE COUNTRY; MILAGRO, FERMIN - UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA; MARTINEZ, J. ALFREDO - UNIVERSITY OF NAVARRA; BUJANDA, LUIS - UNIVERSITY OF BASQUE COUNTRY; RIMANDO, AGNES; PORTILLO, MARIA - UNIVERSITY OF BASQUE COUNTRY

Submitted to: Molecular Nutrition and Food Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2016
Publication Date: 8/3/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5695423
Citation: Etxeberria, U., Hijona, E., Aguirre, L., Milagro, F.I., Martínez, J.A., Bujanda, L., Rimando, A.M., and Portillo, M.P. Pterostilbene-induced changes in gut microbiota composition in relation to obesity. In Espin, J.C. (Guest Ed.) Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. Special Issue: Gut Microbiota, Diet and Health. 1(1):1500906 (12 pp). 2017. DOI 10.1002/mnfr.201500906

Interpretive Summary: The community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract (gut microbiota) influences metabolism, nutrition and immune function. Disruption of this complex community has been linked with gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. We evaluated whether pterostilbene could induce changes in gut microbiota and whether the microbial modifications are associated with improvements in metabolic variables. Our study included feeding two groups of rats: one group given standard diet and another group given diet supplemented with pterostilbene (15 mg/kg body weight/day), for six weeks. Pterostilbene exerted protective anti-obesity effects, decreased serum cholesterol levels, and induced changes in gut microbiota composition. A decrease in the levels bacteria in the group called Firmicutes was observed in the pterostilbene-treated rats; common dysregulations in Firmicutes and have been defined as characteristic of “obese microbiota.” On the other hand, an increase in bacteria in the group Verrucomicrobia was detected, specially the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila; healthier metabolic status has been associated with higher levels of this bacterium. Pterostilbene modifies intestinal bacteria composition towards a healthier microbial profile and suggests that the anti-obesity and cholesterol-lowering effects brought about in rats could be associated with an enrichment of the Verrucomicrobia group of bacteria.

Technical Abstract: Scope: Nutritional interventions based on the use of bioactive natural compounds might offer new possibilities for reshaping obesity-associated bacterial dysregulation or dysbiosis and improving health. We evaluated whether pterostilbene supplementation could induce changes in gut microbiota (GM) and whether these microbial modifications were associated with improvements in metabolic variables. Methods and results: Zucker (fa/fa) rats were given a standard diet supplemented (n=10) or not (n=9) with pterostilbene (15 mg/kg body weight/day) by oral gavage for 6 weeks. Faecal samples at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period were analysed by Illumina Mi-Seq sequencing approach. Pterostilbene exerted protective anti-obesity effects, decreased serum cholesterol levels and induced structural changes in gut microbiota composition. A decrease in the levels of Firmicutes and an increase in Verrucomicrobia phyla were detected in the pterostilbene-treated group. Bacterial species belonging to genera Akkermansia, Alistipes and Odoribacter were also increased. Furthermore, a strong inverse correlation between Verrucomicrobia phylum and Akkermansia muciniphila, in different adipose tissue compartments and serum cholesterol levels was observed. Conclusion: Pterostilbene modifies intestinal bacteria composition towards a healthier microbial profile and suggests that the anti-obesity and cholesterol-lowering effects brought about in Zucker rats could be associated with an enrichment of the Verrucomicrobia phylum.