The Effects of Increasing Dietary Fat on Serum Lipid Profile and Modification of Gut Microbiome in C57BL/6N Mice.

Hyperlipidemia is a condition where the blood shows an elevated level of lipid, such as cholesterol and triglyceride. It is considered a risk factor for all coronary artery death globally. Association of microbiome with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including hyperlipidemia has been reportedly associated. In this study, we hypothesize that the change in microbiome is correlated to the change in serum lipid level, which resulted by increasing dietary fat consumption. The 32 male, 14-week-old, C57BL/6N were divided into 4 groups, each group received control diet, 10%, 20%, and 40% kcal fat diet prepared from purified pork lard, respectively for 28 days. Fasting serum lipids and fecal microbiome were then analyzed. The group of animals assigned to 40% kcal fat showed significantly increased serum cholesterol, LDL, and HDL (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis revealed the abundance of Muribaculaceae and Saccharimonadaceae were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the abundance of Clostridia_UCG014, Akkermansiaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Erysipelotrichaceae were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation indicated that the abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Bacteroidaceae were positively associated with the increased of serum cholesterol and LDL (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Clostridia_UCG-014, and Saccharimonadaceae were negatively associated (p < 0.05). These results suggest that dietary fat have ability to manipulated microbiome with relative to elevation of serum lipid profile.

Effects of Omega-3-Rich Pork Lard on Serum Lipid Profile and Gut Microbiome in C57BL/6NJ Mice.

Background and Aims: Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of consuming omega-3-rich pork lard on the serum lipid profile and gut microbiome of the mice model. Methods and Results: We divided 23 C57BL/6NJ males (16-week-old) into 3 groups, and each group received either a control diet, a high-fat diet of coconut oil (coconut oil), or a high-fat diet of omega-3-rich pork lard (omega lard) for 28 days. Thereafter, fasting serum lipids and fecal microbiomes were analyzed. The serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels of the omega lard-treated group were significantly reduced compared to the coconut oil-treated group (P < 0.05). However, the microbiome analysis revealed a significant increase in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae in the omega lard-treated group compared to the coconut oil-treated group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the increased serum lipid content was positively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroidaceae (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the abundance of Lachnospiraceae (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested that omega-3-rich pork lard altered the serum lipid profile and gut microbiome in the mice model. Practical Application. The excellent protection offered by omega-3-rich pork lard against hyperlipidemia indicated that pork lard could be used as alternative cooking oil for health-conscious individuals. It could also be introduced as a functional ingredient for patients with hyperlipidemia.

Multiomics assessment of dietary protein titration reveals altered hepatic glucose utilization.

Dietary protein restriction (PR) has rapid effects on metabolism including improved glucose and lipid homeostasis, via multiple mechanisms. Here, we investigate responses of fecal microbiome, hepatic transcriptome, and hepatic metabolome to six diets with protein from 18% to 0% of energy in mice. PR alters fecal microbial composition, but metabolic effects are not transferable via fecal transplantation. Hepatic transcriptome and metabolome are significantly altered in diets with lower than 10% energy from protein. Changes upon PR correlate with calorie restriction but with a larger magnitude and specific changes in amino acid (AA) metabolism. PR increases steady-state aspartate, serine, and glutamate and decreases glucose and gluconeogenic intermediates. 13C6 glucose and glycerol tracing reveal increased fractional enrichment in aspartate, serine, and glutamate. Changes remain intact in hepatic ATF4 knockout mice. Together, this demonstrates an ATF4-independent shift in gluconeogenic substrate utilization toward specific AAs, with compensation from glycerol to promote a protein-sparing response.

Use of Lactobacillus plantarum (strains 22F and 25F) and Pediococcus acidilactici (strain 72N) as replacements for antibiotic-growth promotants in pigs.

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacillus plantarum (strains 22F and 25F) and Pediococcus acidilactici (strain 72N) have appeared promising as replacements for antibiotics in in vitro studies. Microencapsulation, especially by the spray-drying method, has been used to preserve their numbers and characteristics during storage and digestion. This study compared the efficacy of these strains and their microencapsulated form with antibiotic usage on growth performance, faecal microbial counts, and intestinal morphology in nursing-finishing pigs. A total of 240 healthy neonatal pigs were treated on days 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 after cross-fostering. Sterile peptone water was delivered orally to the control and antibiotic groups. Spray-dried Lactobacillus plantarum strain 22F stored for 6-months was administered to piglets in the spraydry group. Three ml of each the three fresh strains (109 CFU/mL) were orally administered to piglets in each group. All pigs received the basal diets, but these were supplemented with routine antibiotic for the antibiotic group. Pigs in all the probiotic supplemented groups exhibited a better average daily gain and feed conversion ratio than those of the controls in the nursery and grower phases. Probiotic supplementation increased viable lactobacilli and decreased enterobacterial counts. Antibiotic additives reduced both enterobacterial and lactobacilli counts. Villous height and villous height:crypt depth ratio were greater in probiotic and antibiotic supplemented pigs comparing to the controls, especially in the jejunum. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using these strains as a substitute for antibiotics and the practicality of the microencapsulation protocol for use in swine farms.