Stimulation of the intestinal microbiota with prebiotics enhances hepatic levels of dietary polyphenolic compounds, lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in healthy rats

Bartosz Fotschki; Wiesław Wiczkowski; Tomasz Sawicki; Michał Sójka; Kamil Myszczyński; Katarzyna Ognik; Jerzy Juśkiewicz

doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111754

Stimulation of the intestinal microbiota with prebiotics enhances hepatic levels of dietary polyphenolic compounds, lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in healthy rats

Food Res Int. 2022 Oct:160:111754. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111754. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Authors

Bartosz Fotschki¹, Wiesław Wiczkowski², Tomasz Sawicki³, Michał Sójka⁴, Kamil Myszczyński², Katarzyna Ognik⁵, Jerzy Juśkiewicz²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Division of Food Science, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland. Electronic address: b.fotschki@pan.olsztyn.pl.
² Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Division of Food Science, Tuwima 10, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland.
³ Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45F, Olsztyn 10-719, Poland.
⁴ Institute of Food Technology and Analysis, Łódź University of Technology, Stefanowskiego 4/10, 90-924 Łódź, Poland.
⁵ University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, Akademicka 13, Lublin 20-950, Poland.

PMID: 36076432
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111754

Abstract

How stimulation of the intestinal microbiota may regulate the health-promoting effects of dietary polyphenols on liver function has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether a combination of fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) and a polyphenol preparation (PP) might stimulate the intestinal microbiota to increase liver levels of polyphenol-derived bioactive compounds. We also investigated how this supplementation affected lipid metabolism and antioxidative status in Wistar rats without diet-induced metabolic disturbances. Addition of FOSs to the diet with the PP (CPF group) considerably reduced the caecal activity of microbial enzymes and elevated the production of short-chain fatty acids, mostly propionic acid. The CPF group exhibited increased relative abundances of caecal bacteria that were able to metabolize polyphenols from the examined preparation. Considerably elevated concentrations of ellagic acid, ellagic acid dimethyl ether glucuronide, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and methyl cyanidin-3-sophoroside were found in the liver in the CPF group. In addition, hepatic downregulation of HIF1α, AHR and SREBP1c, which are molecular factors that regulate lipid metabolism and antioxidative status, was also found in this group. These changes might explain the considerably reduced levels of fat, triglycerides and lipid peroxidation in the liver in the CPF group. Moreover, the combination of FOSs and the PP considerably elevated the total antioxidant status and activity of superoxide dismutase in the blood. To conclude, stimulation of the intestinal microbial composition and activity with FOSs increased the health-promoting effects of the PP by elevating polyphenolic metabolite levels in the liver and improving lipid metabolism and antioxidative status in healthy rats. Therefore, the combination of FOSs and polyphenols might be a valuable dietary supplement that is able to support preventive healthcare.

Keywords: Anthocyanins; Antioxidative status; Bifidobacterium; Ellagitannins; Lactobacillus; Liver metabolism; Prebiotic.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Antioxidants* / pharmacology
Diet
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Lipid Metabolism
Liver / metabolism
Polyphenols / pharmacology
Prebiotics
Rats
Rats, Wistar

Substances

Antioxidants
Polyphenols
Prebiotics