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Schipper L, Tims S, Timmer E, Lohr J, Rakhshandehroo M, Harvey L. Grain versus AIN: Common rodent diets differentially affect health outcomes in adult C57BL/6j mice. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293487. [PMID: 38512932 PMCID: PMC10956799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Semi-synthetic and grain-based diets are common rodent diets for biomedical research. Both diet types are considered nutritionally adequate to support breeding, growth, and long life, yet there are fundamental differences between them that may affect metabolic processes. We have characterized the effects of diet type on breeding outcomes, metabolic phenotype, and microbiota profile in adult mice. Healthy 8-week-old female and male C57BL/6J mice were fed a semi-synthetic or a grain-based diet for 12 weeks and changes in body weight and body composition were monitored. Breeding outcomes were determined. Body fat accumulation of female mice was lower on the semi-synthetic diet than on the grain-based diet. Pregnancy rate and newborn pup survival appeared to be lower in mice exposed to semi-synthetic diet compared to grain-based diet. Both female and male mice showed a profound change in fecal microbiota alpha and beta diversity depending on diet type. Our study shows that type of rodent diet may affect breeding outcomes whilst influencing metabolism and health of female laboratory mice. These factors have the potential to influence other experimental outcomes and the results suggest that semi-synthetic and grain-based diets are not interchangeable in research using rodent models. Careful consideration and increased understanding of the consequences of diet choice would lead to improvements in experimental design and reproducibility of study results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Eva Timmer
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Lohr
- Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Herselman MF, Bobrovskaya L. The Effects of Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress and Semi-Pure Diets on the Brain, Gut and Adrenal Medulla in C57BL6 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14618. [PMID: 37834073 PMCID: PMC10572190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress is known to perturb serotonergic regulation in the brain, leading to mood, learning and memory impairments and increasing the risk of developing mood disorders. The influence of the gut microbiota on serotonergic regulation in the brain has received increased attention recently, justifying the investigation of the role of diet on the gut and the brain in mood disorders. Here, using a 4-week chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in mice, we aimed to investigate the effects of a high-fat high-glycaemic index (HFD) and high-fibre fruit & vegetable "superfood" (SUP) modifications of a semi-pure AIN93M diet on behaviour, serotonin synthesis and metabolism pathway regulation in the brain and the gut, as well as the gut microbiota and the peripheral adrenal medullary system. CUMS induced anxiety-like behaviour, dysregulated the tryptophan and serotonin metabolic pathways in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and colon, and altered the composition of the gut microbiota. CUMS reduced the catecholamine synthetic capacity of the adrenal glands. Differential effects were found in these parameters in the HFD and SUP diet. Thus, dietary modifications may profoundly affect the multiple dynamic systems involved in mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Larisa Bobrovskaya
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia;
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Herselman MF, Bailey S, Bobrovskaya L. The Effects of Stress and Diet on the "Brain-Gut" and "Gut-Brain" Pathways in Animal Models of Stress and Depression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042013. [PMID: 35216133 PMCID: PMC8875876 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence is building for the involvement of the complex, bidirectional communication axis between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain in neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. With depression projected to be the number one health concern by 2030 and its pathophysiology yet to be fully elucidated, a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between environmental factors, such as stress and diet, with the neurobiology of depression is needed. In this review, the latest research on the effects of stress on the bidirectional connections between the brain and the gut across the most widely used animal models of stress and depression is summarised, followed by comparisons of the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota across animal models of stress and depression with possible implications for the gut–brain axis and the impact of dietary changes on these. The composition of the gut microbiota was consistently altered across the animal models investigated, although differences between each of the studies and models existed. Chronic stressors appeared to have negative effects on both brain and gut health, while supplementation with prebiotics and/or probiotics show promise in alleviating depression pathophysiology.
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Yajima Y, Okuno A, Nakamura I, Miyazaki T, Honda A, Toyoda A. Differential Effect of Non-Purified and Semi-Purified Standard Diets on Kynurenine and Peripheral Metabolites in Male C57BL/6J Mice. Int J Tryptophan Res 2022; 15:11786469211066285. [PMID: 35002254 PMCID: PMC8733355 DOI: 10.1177/11786469211066285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine (Kyn) pathway plays crucial roles in several inflammation-induced disorders such as depression. In this study, we measured Kyn and other related molecules in the blood plasma, brain, and urine of male C57BL/6J mice (B6) fed non-purified (MF) and semi-purified (AIN-93G and AIN-93M) standard rodent diets. Mice fed MF had increased plasma Kyn levels compared with those on AIN93-based diets, as well as decreased hippocampal Kyn levels compared with those fed AIN-93G. Previous studies showed that branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) suppress peripheral blood Kyn transportation to the brain, but plasma BCAA levels were not significantly different between the diet groups in our study. Urine metabolome analysis revealed that feed ingredients affected the excretion of many metabolites, and MF-fed mice had elevated excretion of kynurenic and quinolinic acids, pivotal metabolites in the Kyn pathway. Collectively, the level of critical metabolites in the Kyn pathway in the central and peripheral tissues was strongly affected by feed ingredients. Therefore, feed selection is a critical factor to ensure the reproducibility of experimental data in studies involving rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhei Yajima
- Department of Food and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Alato Okuno
- Department of Health and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Design, Shibata Gakuen University, Hirosaki-city, Aomori, Japan
| | - Isamu Nakamura
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Teruo Miyazaki
- Joint Research Center, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akira Honda
- Joint Research Center, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Toyoda
- Department of Food and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Ami-machi, Ibaraki, Japan.,United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-city, Tokyo, Japan
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Effects of semi-purified diet on depressive behaviors in aged mice. Biochem Biophys Rep 2021; 28:101152. [PMID: 34703907 PMCID: PMC8521119 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2021.101152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diet is a key modifiable factor influencing the composition of gut microbiota. There are two types of commercially available diets for experimental animals: non-purified and semi-purified diets. Non-purified diets are composed of complex ingredients from multiple sources, while semi-purified diets are formulated with refined ingredients. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated a link between the gut microbiota and depression, and feed ingredients may influence depressive physiology and behaviors. To test this hypothesis, we examined how chronic non-purified (CRF-1) and semi-purified (AIN-93G) diets affected phenotypes, including depressive behaviors, plasma corticosterone levels, and small-intestine microbiota in young (2 months old) and aged (22 months old) inbred C57BL/JJcl mice. In young mice, similar phenotypes were associated with non-purified and semi-purified diets. However, in aged mice, semi-purified diets increased depressive behaviors in the tail suspension (P < 0.05) and forced swimming tests (P < 0.01). The corticosterone levels were similar between the two diets under normal rearing conditions. However, immediately after exposure to the stressful conditions of the forced swimming test, the corticosterone levels in the aged mice fed the semi-purified diet were higher than those of mice fed the non-purified diet (P < 0.05). There were fewer Lactobacillales in the small intestines of aged mice fed the semi-purified diet compared to those fed the non-purified diet (P < 0.01). Further, α-diversity was lower in aged mice fed the semi-purified versus non-purified diet (P < 0.01). Our results indicate that host physiology and gut microbiota differed according to whether the aged mice were fed a non-purified or semi-purified diet. Specifically, those fed the semi-purified diet were more vulnerable to stress than age-matched mice fed the non-purified diet. Our findings indicate that researchers should consider the effects of feed ingredients on depressive physiology and behaviors, and select diets that are appropriate for their particular research design. Further, identification of the ingredients in non-purified diets could facilitate examination of the mechanisms by which gut microbiota composition might increase resistance to stress and depression.
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Takahashi E, Ono E. Differential effects of different diets on depressive-like phenotypes in C57BL/JJmsSLc mice. Physiol Behav 2021; 243:113623. [PMID: 34653499 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Identical mouse models tested using the same protocols in different laboratories can produce inconsistent results. Indeed, little information is available regarding suitable diets for mouse models of disease in the field of neuroscience. Thus, neuroscientists often select experimental diets based on personal judgment. Recent studies have reported a strong interaction between depression and gut microbiota. Furthermore, diets can impact the composition of the microbiota. To confirm whether diet influences the phenotype and gut microbiota of depressive mice, we examined the effects of two widely used commercial diets, non-purified (CRF-1) and semi-purified (AIN-93 G) commercial diets on behavior, plasma levels of corticosterone, and cecum microbiota at 1 and 5 weeks after restraint in repeatedly restrained mice. Exposure to repeated stress induced similar depression-like phenotypes 1 week after stress in CRF-1 and AIN-93 G fed mice. However, mice fed the AIN-93 G diet showed greater vulnerability than the others 5 weeks after restraint. The Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and α-diversity were lower in the cecum at 5 weeks after stress in mice fed the AIN-93 G diet compared to 1 week after stress in mice fed the AIN-93 G diet. These data suggest that diet type affects stress sensitivity via different gut microbiota and that diet selection is important in neuroscience research and data reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiki Takahashi
- Department of Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Etsuro Ono
- Department of Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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Ronda OAHO, van de Heijning BJM, de Bruin A, Thomas RE, Martini I, Koehorst M, Gerding A, Koster MH, Bloks VW, Jurdzinski A, Mulder NL, Havinga R, van der Beek EM, Reijngoud DJ, Kuipers F, Verkade HJ. Spontaneous liver disease in wild-type C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice fed semisynthetic diet. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232069. [PMID: 32956351 PMCID: PMC7505464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are frequently used to study mechanisms of human diseases. Recently, we observed a spontaneous bimodal variation in liver weight in C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice fed a semisynthetic diet. We now characterized the spontaneous variation in liver weight and its relationship with parameters of hepatic lipid and bile acid (BA) metabolism. In male C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice fed AIN-93G from birth to postnatal day (PN)70, we measured plasma BA, lipids, Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride (TG) secretion, and hepatic mRNA expression patterns. Mice were sacrificed at PN21, PN42, PN63 and PN70. Liver weight distribution was bimodal at PN70. Mice could be subdivided into two nonoverlapping groups based on liver weight: 0.6 SD 0.1 g (approximately one-third of mice, small liver; SL), and 1.0 SD 0.1 g (normal liver; NL; p<0.05). Liver histology showed a higher steatosis grade, inflammation score, more mitotic figures and more fibrosis in the SL versus the NL group. Plasma BA concentration was 14-fold higher in SL (p<0.001). VLDL-TG secretion rate was lower in SL mice, both absolutely (-66%, p<0.001) and upon correction for liver weight (-44%, p<0.001). Mice that would later have the SL-phenotype showed lower food efficiency ratios during PN21-28, suggesting the cause of the SL phenotype is present at weaning (PN21). Our data show that approximately one-third of C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice fed semisynthetic diet develop spontaneous liver disease with aberrant histology and parameters of hepatic lipid, bile acid and lipoprotein metabolism. Study designs involving this mouse strain on semisynthetic diets need to take the SL phenotype into account. Plasma lipids may serve as markers for the identification of the SL phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onne A. H. O. Ronda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Alain de Bruin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rachel E. Thomas
- Dutch Molecular Pathology Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Martini
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn Koehorst
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Gerding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam H. Koster
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent W. Bloks
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Angelika Jurdzinski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Niels L. Mulder
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Havinga
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eline M. van der Beek
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Danone Nutricia Research, Uppsalalaan, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Dirk-Jan Reijngoud
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Henkjan J. Verkade
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Sex-Specific Differences in Fat Storage, Development of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Brain Structure in Juvenile HFD-Induced Obese Ldlr-/-.Leiden Mice. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11081861. [PMID: 31405127 PMCID: PMC6723313 DOI: 10.3390/nu11081861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex-specific differences play a role in metabolism, fat storage in adipose tissue, and brain structure. At juvenile age, brain function is susceptible to the effects of obesity; little is known about sex-specific differences in juvenile obesity. Therefore, this study examined sex-specific differences in adipose tissue and liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, and putative alterations between male and female mice in brain structure in relation to behavioral changes during the development of juvenile obesity. METHODS In six-week-old male and female Ldlr-/-.Leiden mice (n = 48), the impact of 18 weeks of HFD-feeding was examined. Fat distribution, liver pathology and brain structure and function were analyzed imunohisto- and biochemically, in cognitive tasks and with MRI. RESULTS HFD-fed female mice were characterized by an increased perigonadal fat mass, pronounced macrovesicular hepatic steatosis and liver inflammation. Male mice on HFD displayed an increased mesenteric fat mass, pronounced adipose tissue inflammation and microvesicular hepatic steatosis. Only male HFD-fed mice showed decreased cerebral blood flow and reduced white matter integrity. CONCLUSIONS At young age, male mice are more susceptible to the detrimental effects of HFD than female mice. This study emphasizes the importance of sex-specific differences in obesity, liver pathology, and brain function.
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