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Rowe JC, Winston JA, Parker VJ, McCool KE, Suchodolski JS, Lopes R, Steiner JM, Gilor C, Rudinsky AJ. Gut microbiota promoting propionic acid production accompanies caloric restriction-induced intentional weight loss in cats. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11901. [PMID: 38789518 PMCID: PMC11126632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Rodent models and human clinical studies have shown gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play roles in obesity and insulin resistance. These roles have been minimally explored in cats, where in the USA an estimated 60% of cats are overweight or obese. Overweight/obese research cats (n = 7) were transitioned from a maintenance diet to a reduced calorie diet fed ad libitum for 7 days, then calories were restricted to achieve 1-2% weight loss per week for an additional 77 days. Cats then received their original maintenance diet again for 14 days. Significant intentional weight loss was noted after calorie restriction (adjusted p < 0.0001). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and targeted SCFA metabolomics were performed on fecal samples. Fecal microbial community structure significantly differed between the four study phases (PERMANOVA p = 0.011). Fecal propionic acid was significantly higher during caloric restriction-induced weight loss (adjusted p < 0.05). Repeated measures correlation revealed the relative abundances of Prevotella 9 copri (correlation coefficient = 0.532, 95% CI (0.275, 0.717), p = 0.0002) significantly correlated with propionic acid composition. Like humans, obese cats experienced an altered microbial community structure and function, favoring propionic acid production, during caloric restriction-induced weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Rowe
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Comparative Hepatobiliary Intestinal Research Program (CHIRP), The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - J A Winston
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Comparative Hepatobiliary Intestinal Research Program (CHIRP), The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| | - V J Parker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Comparative Hepatobiliary Intestinal Research Program (CHIRP), The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - K E McCool
- Department of Clinical Sciences, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - J S Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - R Lopes
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - J M Steiner
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, USA
| | - C Gilor
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - A J Rudinsky
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
- Comparative Hepatobiliary Intestinal Research Program (CHIRP), The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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Rowe JC, Winston JA, Parker VJ, McCool KE, Suchodolski JS, Lopes R, Steiner JM, Gilor C, Rudinsky AJ. Gut microbiota promoting propionic acid production accompanies diet-induced intentional weight loss in cats. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3273531. [PMID: 37693421 PMCID: PMC10491335 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3273531/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Rodent models and human clinical studies have shown gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play roles in obesity and insulin resistance. These roles have been minimally explored in cats, where in the USA an estimated 60% of cats are overweight or obese. Overweight/obese research cats (n = 7) were transitioned from a maintenance diet to a reduced calorie diet fed ad libitum for seven days, then calories were restricted to achieve 1-2% weight loss per week for an additional 77 days. Cats then received their original maintenance diet again for 14 days. Significant intentional weight loss was noted after calorie restriction (adjusted p < 0.0001). 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and targeted SCFA metabolomics were performed on fecal samples. Fecal microbial community structure significantly differed between the four study phases (PERMANOVA p = 0.011). Fecal propionic acid was significantly higher during diet-induced weight loss (adjusted p < 0.05). Spearman correlation revealed the relative abundances of Prevotella 9 copri (ρ = 0.6385, p = 0.0006) and Blautia caecimuris (ρ = 0.5269, p = 0.0068) were significantly correlated with propionic acid composition. Like humans, obese cats experienced an altered microbial community structure and function, favoring propionic acid production, during diet-induced weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Rowe
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - J A Winston
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - V J Parker
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - K E McCool
- North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | | | - R Lopes
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - J M Steiner
- Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - C Gilor
- University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine
| | - A J Rudinsky
- The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine
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Giteru SG, Ramsey DH, Hou Y, Cong L, Mohan A, Bekhit AEDA. Wool keratin as a novel alternative protein: A comprehensive review of extraction, purification, nutrition, safety, and food applications. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:643-687. [PMID: 36527315 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The growing global population and lifestyle changes have increased the demand for specialized diets that require protein and other essential nutrients for humans. Recent technological advances have enabled the use of food bioresources treated as waste as additional sources of alternative proteins. Sheep wool is an inexpensive and readily available bioresource containing 95%-98% protein, making it an outstanding potential source of protein for food and biotechnological applications. The strong structure of wool and its indigestibility are the main hurdles to achieving its potential as an edible protein. Although various methods have been investigated for the hydrolysis of wool into keratin, only a few of these, such as sulfitolysis, oxidation, and enzymatic processes, have the potential to generate edible keratin. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity studies reported no cytotoxicity effects of extracted keratin, suggesting its potential for use as a high-value protein ingredient that supports normal body functions. Keratin has a high cysteine content that can support healthy epithelia, glutathione synthesis, antioxidant functions, and skeletal muscle functions. With the recent spike in new keratin extraction methods, extensive long-term investigations that examine prolonged exposure of keratin generated from these techniques in animal and human subjects are required to ascertain its safety. Food applications of wool could improve the ecological footprint of sheep farming and unlock the potential of a sustainable protein source that meets demands for ethical production of animal protein.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yakun Hou
- College of Food Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Lei Cong
- Department of Agribusiness and Markets, Lincoln University, Lincoln, New Zealand
| | - Anand Mohan
- Alliance Group Limited, Invercargill, New Zealand
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Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing Reveals Distinct Gut Microbiome Signatures of Obese Cats. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0083722. [PMID: 35467389 PMCID: PMC9241680 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00837-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are growing health problems in domestic cats, increasing the risks of insulin resistance, lipid dyscrasias, neoplasia, cardiovascular disease, and decreasing longevity. The signature of obesity in the feline gut microbiota has not been studied at the whole-genome metagenomic level. We performed whole-genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing in the fecal samples of eight overweight/obese and eight normal cats housed in the same research environment. We obtained 271 Gbp of sequences and generated a 961-Mbp de novo reference contig assembly, with 1.14 million annotated microbial genes. In the obese cat microbiome, we discovered a significant reduction in microbial diversity (P < 0.01) and Firmicutes abundance (P = 0.005), as well as decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios (P = 0.02), which is the inverse of obese human/mouse microbiota. Linear discriminant analysis and quantitative PCR (qPCR) validation revealed significant increases of Bifidobacterium sp., Olsenella provencensis, Dialister sp.CAG:486, and Campylobacter upsaliensis as the hallmark of obese microbiota among 400 enriched species, whereas 1,525 bacterial species have decreased abundance in the obese microbiome. Phascolarctobacterium succinatutens and an uncharacterized Erysipelotrichaceae bacterium are highly abundant (>0.05%) in the normal gut with over 400-fold depletion in the obese microbiome. Fatty acid synthesis-related pathways are significantly overrepresented in the obese compared with the normal cat microbiome. In conclusion, we discovered dramatically decreased microbial diversity in obese cat gut microbiota, suggesting potential dysbiosis. A panel of seven significantly altered, highly abundant species can serve as a microbiome indicator of obesity. Our findings in the obese cat microbiome composition, abundance, and functional capacities provide new insights into feline obesity. IMPORTANCE Obesity affects around 45% of domestic cats, and licensed drugs for treating feline obesity are lacking. Physical exercise and calorie restrictions are commonly used for weight loss but with limited efficacy. Through comprehensive analyses of normal and obese cat gut bacteria flora, we identified dramatic shifts in the obese gut microbiome, including four bacterial species significantly enriched and two species depleted in the obese cats. The key bacterial community and functional capacity alterations discovered from this study will inform new weight management strategies for obese cats, such as evaluations of specific diet formulas that alter the microbiome composition, and the development of prebiotics and probiotics that promote the increase of beneficial species and the depletion of obesity-associated species. Interestingly, these bacteria identified in our study were also reported to affect the weight loss success in human patients, suggesting translational potential in human obesity.
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In Vitro Assessment of Hydrolysed Collagen Fermentation Using Domestic Cat (Felis catus) Faecal Inocula. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12040498. [PMID: 35203206 PMCID: PMC8868200 DOI: 10.3390/ani12040498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal microbiome has a range of roles in the host, including the production of beneficial fermentation end products such as butyrate, which are typically associated with fermentation of plant fibres. However, domestic cats are obligate carnivores and do not require carbohydrates. It has been hypothesised that in the wild, collagenous parts of prey—the so-called animal-derived fermentable substrates (ADFS) such as tendons and cartilage—may be fermented by the cat’s gastrointestinal microbiome. However, little research has been conducted on ADFS in the domestic cat. Faecal inoculum was obtained from domestic cats either consuming a high carbohydrate (protein:fat:carbohydrate ratio of 35:20:28 (% dry matter basis)) or high protein (protein:fat:carbohydrate ratio of 75:19:1 (% dry matter basis)) diet. ADFS (hydrolysed collagen, cat hair, and cartilage) were used in a series of static in vitro digestions and fermentations. Concentrations of organic acids and ammonia were measured after 24 h of fermentation, and the culture community of microbes was characterised. The type of inoculum used affected the fermentation profile produced by the ADFS. Butyrate concentrations were highest when hydrolysed collagen was fermented with high protein inoculum (p < 0.05). In contrast, butyrate was not detectable when hydrolysed collagen was fermented in high carbohydrate inoculum (p < 0.05). The microbiome of the domestic cat may be able to ferment ADFS to provide beneficial concentrations of butyrate.
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Gao G, Zhou J, Wang H, Ding Y, Zhou J, Chong PH, Zhu L, Ke L, Wang X, Rao P, Wang Q, Zhang L. Effects of valerate on intestinal barrier function in cultured Caco-2 epithelial cell monolayers. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:1817-1825. [PMID: 34837149 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06991-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a group of microbial metabolites of undigested dietary fiber, protein and unabsorbed amino acids in the colon, well-known for their gut health promoting benefits. A relatively high intestinal level of valerate was found in the healthy human subjects. However, the intestinal protection effects and the underlying mechanism of valerate are waiting to be verified and elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, valerate, a SCFAs mainly converted from proteins or amino acids, was demonstrated to promote intestinal barrier function at its physiological concentrations of 0-4 mM in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model of intestinal barrier using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay and paracellular permeability assay. Valerate achieved the maximum increase in the TEER at 2 mM and reduced the paracellular permeability. Its intestinal barrier function promoting activity is similar to that of butyrate, with a broader range of effective concentrations than the later. Through western blot analysis, this activity is linked to the valerate-induced AMPK activation and tight junctions (TJs) assembly, but not to the reinforced expression of TJs related proteins. CONCLUSIONS It provides direct experimental evidence supporting valerate's function in intestinal health, implying the once under-valued function of valerate and its amino acid precursors. The valerate's role in regulating intestine homeostasis and its possible synergetic effects with other SCFAs warranted to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanzhen Gao
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingru Zhou
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huiqin Wang
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yanan Ding
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianwu Zhou
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pik Han Chong
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lijing Ke
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Breeding Base for Zhejiang Sustainable Pest and Disease Control, Institute of Plant Protection and Microbiology, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pingfan Rao
- Food Nutrition Science Centre, School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Longxin Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children Hospital, Affiliated hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Arslan NP. Use of wool protein hydrolysate as nitrogen source in production of microbial pigments. J FOOD PROCESS PRES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jfpp.15660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Pilla R, Suchodolski JS. The Gut Microbiome of Dogs and Cats, and the Influence of Diet. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:605-621. [PMID: 33653538 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The gut microbiome is a functional organ, and responds metabolically to the nutrient composition within the diet. Fiber, starch, and protein content have strong effects on the microbiome composition, and changes in these nutrient profiles can induce rapid shifts. Due to functional redundancy of bacteria within microbial communities, important metabolites for health can be produced by different bacteria. Microbiome alterations associated with disease are of greater magnitude than those seen in healthy dogs on different diets. Dietary changes, addition of prebiotics, and probiotics, can be beneficial to improve microbial diversity and to normalize metabolite production in diseased dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Pilla
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4474 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
| | - Jan S Suchodolski
- Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4474 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4474, USA
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Lyu Y, Su C, Verbrugghe A, Van de Wiele T, Martos Martinez-Caja A, Hesta M. Past, Present, and Future of Gastrointestinal Microbiota Research in Cats. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1661. [PMID: 32793152 PMCID: PMC7393142 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between microbial community and host has profound effects on the health of animals. A balanced gastrointestinal (GI) microbial population provides nutritional and metabolic benefits to its host, regulates the immune system and various signaling molecules, protects the intestine from pathogen invasion, and promotes a healthy intestinal structure and an optimal intestinal function. With the fast development of next-generation sequencing, molecular techniques have become standard tools for microbiota research, having been used to demonstrate the complex intestinal ecosystem. Similarly to other mammals, the vast majority of GI microbiota in cats (over 99%) is composed of the predominant bacterial phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Many nutritional and clinical studies have shown that cats' microbiota can be affected by several different factors including body condition, age, diet, and inflammatory diseases. All these factors have different size effects, and some of these may be very minor, and it is currently unknown how important these are. Further research is needed to determine the functional variations in the microbiome in disease states and in response to environmental and/or dietary modulations. Additionally, further studies are also needed to explain the intricate relationship between GI microbiota and the genetics and immunity of its host. This review summarizes past and present knowledge of the feline GI microbiota and looks into the future possibilities and challenges of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Lyu
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Chunxia Su
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adronie Verbrugghe
- Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Tom Van de Wiele
- Center of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ana Martos Martinez-Caja
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Myriam Hesta
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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