Fucoxanthin extract ameliorates obesity associated with modulation of bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota in high-fat-diet fed mice

• Published in: European journal of nutrition Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 231 - 242
• Main Authors: Hao, Junyu, Zhang, Jinxuan, Wu, Tao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-02-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Bile; Bile acids; Bile Acids and Salts; Body weight; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Digestive system; Fucoxanthin; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gastrointestinal tract; Gene expression; Glucose tolerance; High fat diet; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Lipid Metabolism - genetics; Male; Metabolism; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microbiota; Nutrition; Obesity; Obesity - metabolism; Original Contribution; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; rRNA 16S; Xanthophylls; Gut microbiota; Obesity; High-fat; Fucoxanthin extract; Bile acid metabolism
• ISSN: 1436-6207; 1436-6215
• DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03256-z

Purpose
Fucoxanthin extract (FX) is a type of carotenoid with a beneficial effect against obesity. The purpose of this study was to explore its precise action mechanism of losing weight.
Methods
A high-fat diet induced obesity mouse model was established to study the effects of different doses of FX on C57BL/6J male mice for 12 weeks. Following intervention, serum indices, tissue sections, liver gene expression, and intestinal microorganisms were analyzed.
Results
FX at low, medium, and high dosages (80, 160, and 320 mg/kg/day, respectively) for 12 weeks was associated with the lower body weight of mice when compared to that of high-fat-diet fed mice. It also improved glucose tolerance as well as serum lipid levels, and reduced fat accumulation. Significant regulation of bile acid metabolism and intestinal microbiota may contribute to the above effects. The bile acids in the FXH group were significantly increased. A low-dose and a medium-dose FX increased the level of transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5); a low-dose and high-dose FX increased the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) expression, and a medium-dose had no effect. 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that the
Lachnospiraceae
and
Oscillospiraceae
contributed to the beneficial effects of FX.
Conclusion
Our study sheds light on mechanisms behind the weight-lowering of FX, and manifested that bile acid metabolism and gut microbiota may be potential therapies. These results support that FX is a valuable candidate for promoting health and alleviating obesity.