Impairment of gut microbial biotin metabolism and host biotin status in severe obesity: effect of biotin and prebiotic supplementation on improved metabolism.

OBJECTIVES: Gut microbiota is a key component in obesity and type 2 diabetes, yet mechanisms and metabolites central to this interaction remain unclear. We examined the human gut microbiome's functional composition in healthy metabolic state and the most severe states of obesity and type 2 diabetes within the MetaCardis cohort. We focused on the role of B vitamins and B7/B8 biotin for regulation of host metabolic state, as these vitamins influence both microbial function and host metabolism and inflammation. DESIGN: We performed metagenomic analyses in 1545 subjects from the MetaCardis cohorts and different murine experiments, including germ-free and antibiotic treated animals, faecal microbiota transfer, bariatric surgery and supplementation with biotin and prebiotics in mice. RESULTS: Severe obesity is associated with an absolute deficiency in bacterial biotin producers and transporters, whose abundances correlate with host metabolic and inflammatory phenotypes. We found suboptimal circulating biotin levels in severe obesity and altered expression of biotin-associated genes in human adipose tissue. In mice, the absence or depletion of gut microbiota by antibiotics confirmed the microbial contribution to host biotin levels. Bariatric surgery, which improves metabolism and inflammation, associates with increased bacterial biotin producers and improved host systemic biotin in humans and mice. Finally, supplementing high-fat diet-fed mice with fructo-oligosaccharides and biotin improves not only the microbiome diversity, but also the potential of bacterial production of biotin and B vitamins, while limiting weight gain and glycaemic deterioration. CONCLUSION: Strategies combining biotin and prebiotic supplementation could help prevent the deterioration of metabolic states in severe obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02059538.

Adipose tissue adaptive response to trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid engages alternatively activated M2 macrophages.

In mice, nutritional supplementation with the trans-10,cis-12 isomer of linoleic acid (t10,c12-CLA) promotes lipoatrophy, hyperinsulinemia, and macrophage infiltration in white adipose tissue (WAT). We explored the dynamics of these interrelated responses over 2 consecutive 7 d periods of t10,c12-CLA administration and withdrawal. t10,c12-CLA down-regulated lipogenic and lipolytic gene expression and increased collagen deposition, but with no evidence of cross-linking. An abundant CD45(+) cell infiltrate, comprising prominently CD206(+)CD11c(-) macrophages, was found in WAT in association with an anti-inflammatory gene signature. Infiltration of natural killer (NK) and dendritic cells contributed to WAT's innate immune response to t10,c12-CLA. Less abundant adaptive immune cells colonized WAT, including B, NK T, γδ T, and αß T cells. By contrast, T-regulatory cell abundance was not affected. Interruption of treatment allowed recovery of WAT mass and normalization of insulinemia, coincident with regain of WAT homeostasis owing to a coordinated reversion of genic, structural, and immune deregulations. These data revealed a striking resilience of WAT after a short-term metabolic injury induced by t10,c12-CLA, which relies on alternatively activated M2 macrophage engagement. In addition, the temporal links between variations in WAT alterations and insulinemia upon t10,c12-CLA manipulation strengthen the view that WAT dysfunctional status is critically involved in altered glucose homeostasis.