Fiber-like action of d-fagomine on the gut microbiota and body weight of healthy rats

Ramos-Romero, Sara; Ponomarenko, Julia; Amézqueta, Susana; Hereu, Mercè; Miralles-Pérez, Bernat; Romeu, Marta; Méndez, Lucía; Medina, Isabel; Torres, Josep Lluís

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu14214656

Fiber-like action of d-fagomine on the gut microbiota and body weight of healthy rats

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Ramos-Romero S, Ponomarenko J, Amézqueta S, Hereu M, Miralles-Pérez B, Romeu M, Méndez L, Medina I, Torres JL. Fiber-like action of d-fagomine on the gut microbiota and body weight of healthy rats. Nutrients. 2022 Nov 3;14(21):4656. DOI: 10.3390/nu14214656

Abstract

The goal of this work is to explore if the changes induced by d-fagomine in the gut microbiota are compatible with its effect on body weight and inflammation markers in rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were fed a standard diet supplemented with d-fagomine (or not, for comparison) for 6 months. The variables measured were body weight, plasma mediators of inflammation (hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, leukotriene B4, and IL-6), and the concentration of acetic acid in feces and plasma. The composition and diversities of microbiota in cecal content and feces were estimated using 16S rRNA metabarcoding and high-throughput sequencing. We found that after just 6 weeks of intake d-fagomine significantly reduced body weight gain, increased the plasma acetate concentration, and reduced the plasma concentration of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers' leukotriene B4, interleukin 6 and 12 hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. These changes were associated with a significantly increased prevalence of Bacteroides and Prevotella feces and increased Bacteroides, Prevotella, Clostridium, and Dysgonomonas while reducing Anaerofilum, Blautia, and Oribacterium in cecal content. In conclusion, d-fagomine induced changes in the composition and diversity of gut microbiota similar to those elicited by dietary fiber and compatible with its anti-inflammatory and body-weight-reducing effects.