Effect of Chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) Associated with High-Fat Diet on the Intestinal Health of Wistar Rats

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 14; no. 22; p. 4924
• Main Authors: Mishima, Marcella Duarte Villas, Da Silva, Bárbara Pereira, Gomes, Mariana Juste Contin, Toledo, Renata Celi Lopes, Mantovani, Hilário Cuquetto, José, Vinícius Parzanini Brilhante de São, Costa, Neuza Maria Brunoro, Tako, Elad, Martino, Hércia Stampini Duarte
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21-11-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteria; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; Carbohydrates; Cecum; chia seed; Colon; Diet; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Dietary fiber; Dietary Fiber - analysis; Dietary Fiber - pharmacology; Duodenum; Fatty acids; Feces; Gene expression; High fat diet; Histomorphometry; Homeostasis; intestinal functionality; intestinal microbiota; intestinal morphology; Intestine; Lipids; Metabolism; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Morphology; Motility; Muscles; Proteins; Psychedelic drugs; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Salvia; Salvia columbariae; Salvia hispanica; SCFA; Seeds; Seeds - chemistry; Vortices; western diet; Brazil; United States > US; western diet; intestinal microbiota; chia seed; intestinal morphology; SCFA; intestinal functionality
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14224924

A direct correlation has been reported between excessive fat intake and the development and progression of various enteropathies. Plant foods may contain bioactive compounds and non-digestible dietary fiber, with potential to improve intestinal health. Chia is a good source of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds. Our study evaluated the role of chia flour associated with a high-fat diet (HFD) on colon histomorphometry, intestinal functionality and intestinal microbiome composition and function in
rats. The study used 32 young male rats separated into four groups to receive a standard diet (SD) or HFD, with or without chia, for 35 days. At the end of the study, the cecum, cecal content and duodenum were collected. The consumption of chia increased the production of short-chain fatty acids and improved fecal moisture. Chia consumption improved the circular muscle layer in the SD group. The diversity and abundance of intestinal bacteria were not affected, but increased richness was observed in the microbiome of the SD+chia group. Moreover, chia consumption decreased the expression of proteins involved in intestinal functionality. Chia consumption improved intestinal morphology and functionality in young
rats but was insufficient to promote significant changes in the intestinal microbiome in a short term of 35 days.