Gut microbial metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids correlate with specific fecal bacteria and serum markers of metabolic syndrome in obese women

Lipids. 2014 Apr;49(4):397-402. doi: 10.1007/s11745-014-3881-z. Epub 2014 Jan 29.

Abstract

The aim of this human study was to assess the influence of prebiotic-induced gut microbiota modulation on PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites production. Therefore, we analyzed the circulating fatty acid profile including CLA/CLnA in obese women treated during 3 months with inulin-type fructan prebiotics. In these patients, we had already determined gut microbiota composition by phylogenetic microarray and qPCR analysis of 16S rDNA. Some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were detected in the serum of obese patients. Despite the prebiotic-induced modulation of gut microbiota, including changes in CLA/CLnA-producing bacteria, the treatment did not impact significantly on the circulating level of these metabolites. However, some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were positively correlated with specific fecal bacteria (Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium ventriosum and Lactobacillus spp.) and inversely correlated with serum cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL). These correlations suggest a potential beneficial effect of some of these metabolites but this remains to be confirmed by further investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bifidobacterium / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / blood*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / isolation & purification
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / blood*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / microbiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / pathology
  • Metagenome
  • Microbiota*
  • Obesity / blood*
  • Obesity / microbiology
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Phylogeny
  • Prebiotics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Prebiotics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S