Direct comparison of metabolic health effects of the flavonoids quercetin, hesperetin, epicatechin, apigenin and anthocyanins in high-fat-diet-fed mice

AbstractMethionine restriction (MR) has been shown to reduce the age-induced inflammation. We examined the effect of MR (0.17% methionine, 10% kCal fat) and MR + high fat diet (HFD) (0.17% methionine, 45% kCal fat) on body mass, food intake, glucose tolerance, resting energy expenditure, hind limb muscle mass, denervation-induced atrophy and overload-induced hypertrophy in young and old mice. In old mice, MR and MR + HFD induced a decrease in body mass. Muscle mass per body mass was lower in old compared to young mice. MR restored some of the HFD-induced reduction in muscle oxidative capacity. The denervation-induced atrophy of the m. gastrocnemius was larger in animals on MR than on a control diet, irrespective of age. Old mice on MR had larger hypertrophy of m. plantaris. Irrespective of age, MR and MR + HFD had better glucose tolerance compared to the other groups. Young and old mice on MR + HFD had a higher resting VO2 per body mass than HFD group. Mice on MR and MR + HFD had a resting respiratory quotient closer to 0.70, irrespective of age, indicating an increased utilization of lipids. In conclusion, MR in combination with resistance training may improve skeletal muscle and metabolic health in old age even in the face of obesity.

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The effect of calorie intake, fasting, and dietary composition on metabolic health and gut microbiota in mice

BMC Biology ◽

10.1186/s12915-021-00987-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ziyi Zhang ◽

Xiaoyu Chen ◽

Yuh Jiun Loh ◽

Xin Yang ◽

Chenhong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Metabolic Phenotype ◽

Intermittent Fasting ◽

High Fat ◽

Eating Pattern ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Normal Chow ◽

Ad Libitum

Abstract Background Calorie restriction (CR) and intermittent fasting (IF) can promote metabolic health through a process that is partially mediated by gut microbiota modulation. To compare the effects of CR and IF with different dietary structures on metabolic health and the gut microbiota, we performed an experiment in which mice were subjected to a CR or IF regimen and an additional IF control (IFCtrl) group whose total energy intake was not different from that of the CR group was included. Each regimen was included for normal chow and high-fat diet. Results We showed that in normal-chow mice, the IFCtrl regimen had similar positive effects on glucose and lipid metabolism as the CR regimen, but the IF regimen showed almost no influence compared to the outcomes observed in the ad libitum group. IF also resulted in improvements, but the effects were less marked than those associate with CR and IFCtrl when the mice were fed a high-fat diet. Moreover, CR created a stable and unique gut microbial community, while the gut microbiota shaped by IF exhibited dynamic changes in fasting-refeeding cycles. At the end of each cycle, the gut microbiota of the IFCtrl mice was similar to that of the CR mice, and the gut microbiota of the IF mice was similar to that of the ad libitum group. When the abundance of Lactobacillus murinus OTU2 was high, the corresponding metabolic phenotype was improved regardless of eating pattern and dietary structure, which might be one of the key bacterial groups in the gut microbiota that is positively correlated with metabolic amelioration. Conclusion There are interactions among the amount of food intake, the diet structure, and the fasting time on metabolic health. The structure and composition of gut microbiota modified by dietary regimens might contribute to the beneficial effects on the host metabolism.

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Yeast β-glucan reduces obesity-associated Bilophila abundance and modulates bile acid metabolism in healthy and high-fat diet mouse models

AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpgi.00226.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sik Yu So ◽

Qinglong Wu ◽

Kin Sum Leung ◽

Zuzanna Maria Kundi ◽

Tor C Savidge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bile Acid ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Metabolic Phenotype ◽

Bile Acid Metabolism ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

High Fat ◽

Mrna Accumulation ◽

Gut Microbiota Composition

Emerging evidence links dietary fiber with altered gut microbiota composition and bile acid signaling in maintaining metabolic health. Yeast β-glucan (Y-BG) is a dietary supplement known for its immunomodulatory effect, yet its impact on the gut microbiota and bile acid composition remains unclear. This study investigated whether dietary forms of Y-BG modulate these gut-derived signals. We performed 4-week dietary supplementation in healthy mice to evaluate effects of different fiber composition (soluble vs particulate Y-BG) and dose (0.1 vs. 2%). We found that 2% particulate Y-BG induced robust gut microbiota community shifts with elevated liver Cyp7a1 mRNA abundance and bile acid synthesis. These diet-induced responses were notably different when compared to the prebiotic inulin, and included a marked reduction in fecal Bilophila abundance which we demonstrated as translatable to obesity in population-scale American Gut and TwinsUK clinical cohorts. This prompted us to test whether 2% Y-BG maintained metabolic health in mice fed 60% HFD over 13 weeks. Y-BG consistently altered the gut microbiota composition and reduced Bilophila abundance, with trends observed in improvement of metabolic phenotype. Notably, Y-BG improved insulin sensitization and this was associated with enhanced ileal Glpr1r mRNA accumulation and reduced Bilophila abundance. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Y-BG modulates gut microbiota community composition and bile acid signaling, but the dietary regime needs to be optimized to facilitate clinical improvement in metabolic phenotype in an aggressive high-fat diet animal model.

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A 12-week low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet improves metabolic health outcomes over a control diet in a randomised controlled trial with overweight defence force personnel

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2017-0260 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (11) ◽

pp. 1158-1164 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Caryn Zinn ◽

Julia McPhee ◽

Nigel Harris ◽

Micalla Williden ◽

Kate Prendergast ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Outcomes ◽

High Fat Diet ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

High Fat ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Low Carbohydrate ◽

Randomised Controlled

Overweight, obesity, and poor health is becoming a global concern for defence force personnel. Conventional nutrition guidelines are being questioned for their efficacy in achieving optimal body composition and long-term health. This study compared the effects of a 12-week low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet with a conventional, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet on weight reduction and metabolic health outcomes in at-risk New Zealand Defence Force personnel. In this randomised controlled trial, 41 overweight personnel were assigned to intervention and control groups. Weight, waist circumference, fasting lipids, and glycaemic control were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Within-group change scores were analysed using the t statistic and interpreted using a p < 0.05 level of statistical significance. Between-group mean differences and confidence intervals were analysed using effect sizes and magnitude-based inferences. Twenty-six participants completed the trial (14 intervention, 12 control). Both groups showed statistically significant weight and waist circumference reductions; the intervention group significantly reduced triglycerides and serum glucose and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc). Relative to control, the intervention group showed small, possibly to likely beneficial effects for weight, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; moderate, likely beneficial effects for HDL cholesterol, triglyceride:HDLc ratio and HbA1c; and a small, likely harmful effect for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This dietary approach shows promise for short-term weight loss and improved metabolic health outcomes conditions compared with mainstream recommendations. It should be offered to defence force personnel at least as a viable alternative means to manage their weight and health.

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