Psyllium Fiber Protects Against Colitis Via Activation of Bile Acid Sensor Farnesoid X Receptor

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Fiber-rich foods promote health, but mechanisms by which they do so remain poorly defined. Screening fiber types, in mice, revealed psyllium had unique ability to ameliorate 2 chronic inflammatory states, namely, metabolic syndrome and colitis. We sought to determine the mechanism of action of the latter.

METHODS

Mice were fed grain-based chow, which is naturally rich in fiber or compositionally defined diets enriched with semi-purified fibers. Mice were studied basally and in models of chemical-induced and T-cell transfer colitis.

RESULTS

Relative to all diets tested, mice consuming psyllium-enriched compositionally defined diets were markedly protected against both dextran sulfate sodium- and T-cell transfer-induced colitis, as revealed by clinical-type, histopathologic, morphologic, and immunologic parameters. Such protection associated with stark basal changes in the gut microbiome but was independent of fermentation and, moreover, maintained in mice harboring a minimal microbiota (ie, Altered Schaedler Flora). Transcriptomic analysis revealed psyllium induced expression of genes mediating bile acid (BA) secretion, suggesting that psyllium's known ability to bind BA might contribute to its ability to prevent colitis. As expected, psyllium resulted in elevated level of fecal BA, reflecting their removal from enterohepatic circulation but, in stark contrast to the BA sequestrant cholestyramine, increased serum BA levels. Moreover, the use of BA mimetics that activate the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), as well as the use of FXR-knockout mice, suggested that activation of FXR plays a central role in psyllium's protection against colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Psyllium protects against colitis via altering BA metabolism resulting in activation of FXR, which suppresses pro-inflammatory signaling.

Psyllium fiber protects mice against western diet-induced metabolic syndrome via the gut microbiota-dependent mechanism

Impacts of dietary fiber on intestinal inflammation are complex, but some specific semi-purified fibers, particularly psyllium, can protect humans and rodents against colitis. Mechanisms underlying such protection are not fully understood but may involve activation of the FXR bile acid receptor. Obesity and its associated consequences, referred to as metabolic syndrome, are associated with, and promoted by, low-grade inflammation in a variety of tissues including the intestine. Hence, we examined whether psyllium might ameliorate the low-grade intestinal inflammation that occurs in diet-induced obesity and, moreover, the extent to which it might ameliorate adiposity and/or dysglycemia in this disease model. We observed that enriching a high-fat diet with psyllium provided strong protection against the low-grade gut inflammation and metabolic consequences that were otherwise induced by the obesogenic diet. Such protection was fully maintained in FXR-deficient mice, indicating that distinct mechanisms mediate psyllium's protection against colitis and metabolic syndrome. Nor did psyllium's protection associate with, or require, fermentation or IL-22 production, both of which are key mediators of beneficial impacts of some other dietary fibers. Psyllium's beneficial impacts were not evident in germfree mice but were observed in Altered Schaedler Flora mice, in which psyllium modestly altered relative and absolute abundance of the small number of taxa present in these gnotobiotic mice. Thus, psyllium protects mice against diet-induced obesity/metabolic syndrome by a mechanism independent of FXR and fermentation but nonetheless requires the presence of at least a minimal microbiota.

Differential Influence of Soluble Dietary Fibres on Intestinal and Hepatic Carbohydrate Response

Refined foods are commonly depleted in certain bioactive components that are abundant in 'natural' (plant) foods. Identification and addition of these 'missing' bioactives in the diet is, therefore, necessary to counteract the deleterious impact of convenience food. In this study, multiomics approaches were employed to assess the addition of the popular supplementary soluble dietary fibers inulin and psyllium, both in isolation and in combination with a refined animal feed. A 16S rRNA sequencing and ¹H NMR metabolomic investigation revealed that, whilst inulin mediated an increase in Bifidobacteria, psyllium elicited a broader microbial shift, with Parasutterella and Akkermansia being increased and Enterorhabdus and Odoribacter decreased. Interestingly, the combination diet benefited from both inulin and psyllium related microbial changes. Psyllium mediated microbial changes correlated with a reduction of glucose (R -0.67, -0.73, respectively, p < 0.05) and type 2 diabetes associated metabolites: 3-methyl-2-oxovaleric acid (R -0.72, -0.78, respectively, p < 0.05), and citrulline (R -0.77, -0.71, respectively, p < 0.05). This was in line with intestinal and hepatic carbohydrate response (e.g., Slc2a2, Slc2a5, Khk and Fbp1) and hepatic lipogenesis (e.g., Srebf1 and Fasn), which were significantly reduced under psyllium addition. Although established in the liver, the intestinal response associated with psyllium was absent in the combination diet, placing greater significance upon the established microbial, and subsequent metabolomic, shift. Our results therefore highlight the heterogeneity that exists between distinct dietary fibers in the context of carbohydrate uptake and metabolism, and supports psyllium containing combination diets, for their ability to negate the impact of a refined diet.

Inulin Fermentable Fiber Ameliorates Type I Diabetes via IL22 and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Experimental Models

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Nourishment of gut microbiota via consumption of fermentable fiber promotes gut health and guards against metabolic syndrome. In contrast, how dietary fiber impacts type 1 diabetes is less clear.

METHODS

To examine impact of dietary fibers on development of type 1 diabetes in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and spontaneous non-obese diabetes (NOD) models, mice were fed grain-based chow (GBC) or compositionally defined diets enriched with a fermentable fiber (inulin) or an insoluble fiber (cellulose). Spontaneous (NOD mice) or STZ-induced (wild-type mice) diabetes was monitored.

RESULTS

Relative to GBC, low-fiber diets exacerbated STZ-induced diabetes, whereas diets enriched with inulin, but not cellulose, strongly protected against or treated it. Inulin's restoration of glycemic control prevented loss of adipose depots, while reducing food and water consumption. Inulin normalized pancreatic function and markedly enhanced insulin sensitivity. Such amelioration of diabetes was associated with alterations in gut microbiota composition and was eliminated by antibiotic administration. Pharmacologic blockade of fermentation reduced inulin's beneficial impact on glycemic control, indicating a role for short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Furthermore, inulin's microbiota-dependent anti-diabetic effect associated with SCFA-independent restoration of interleukin 22, which was necessary and sufficient to ameliorate STZ-induced diabetes. Inulin-enriched diets significantly delayed diabetes in NOD mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Fermentable fiber confers microbiota-dependent increases in SCFA and interleukin 22 that, together, may have potential to prevent and/or treat type 1 diabetes.

The Effect of Dietary Fiber Modifications in Purified Diets Relative to Grain-Based Diets on Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Intestinal Microbial Communities in Mice

Objectives

The use of compositionally defined purified diets (PDs)—diets with known sources and quantities of all nutrients—permits investigators to control this major environmental factor in rodent studies. However, mice fed a standard PD exhibit abnormal gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy compared to mice fed Purina 5001, a grain-based diet (GBD). Interestingly, the addition a soluble fiber (inulin) to PDs (typically only containing cellulose, an insoluble fiber) ameliorates these adverse effects. The impact of PDs on the intestinal microbiota has not yet been investigated. We therefore sought to identify PD-supplemented fiber(s) that best recapitulate the GI health and intestinal microbiota of mice fed a GBD, while also including an additional reference GBD (Teklad 2020SX).

Methods

7-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were individually housed and randomly assigned to a diet (two GBDs and four PDs with varying fiber composition) for 28 days. To assess changes in GI anatomy, small intestinal and colon lengths and colon and cecal weights were recorded at tissue harvest. Cecal contents, colon contents, and fecal pellets were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare microbial profiles across different GI niches and between diets using the Divisive Amplicon Denoising Algorithm (DADA2) pipeline.

Results

Consistent with published data, GI anatomy was altered in mice consuming PDs compared to the Purina GBD. However, there were no significant anatomical differences between mice consuming PDs and the Teklad GBD. Characterization of microbial communities revealed that the GI niche (cecum, colon, or feces) dictated microbial composition (P &lt; 0.001, ANOSIM). Microbiotas from mice fed any PD significantly differed from mice consuming either GBD (P &lt; 0.05, ANOSIM). Microbiotas were also distinct between mice fed either Purina 5001 or Teklad 2020SX (P &lt; 0.01, ANOSIM).

Conclusions

These data suggest that Purina 5001 does not represent all GBDs and that PDs may not significantly alter rodent GI anatomy compared to GBDs. As each diet tested significantly altered the microbial community, future work will seek to determine whether a specific PD-associated gut microbiota is beneficial to GI health.

Funding Sources

The NIH, the Honors Carolina Sarah Steele Danhoff Undergraduate Research Fund, and Research Diets, Inc.

A Metabolite-Triggered Tuft Cell-ILC2 Circuit Drives Small Intestinal Remodeling

The small intestinal tuft cell-ILC2 circuit mediates epithelial responses to intestinal helminths and protists by tuft cell chemosensory-like sensing and IL-25-mediated activation of lamina propria ILC2s. Small intestine ILC2s constitutively express the IL-25 receptor, which is negatively regulated by A20 (Tnfaip3). A20 deficiency in ILC2s spontaneously triggers the circuit and, unexpectedly, promotes adaptive small-intestinal lengthening and remodeling. Circuit activation occurs upon weaning and is enabled by dietary polysaccharides that render mice permissive for Tritrichomonas colonization, resulting in luminal accumulation of acetate and succinate, metabolites of the protist hydrogenosome. Tuft cells express GPR91, the succinate receptor, and dietary succinate, but not acetate, activates ILC2s via a tuft-, TRPM5-, and IL-25-dependent pathway. Also induced by parasitic helminths, circuit activation and small intestinal remodeling impairs infestation by new helminths, consistent with the phenomenon of concomitant immunity. We describe a metabolic sensing circuit that may have evolved to facilitate mutualistic responses to luminal pathosymbionts.

Fiber-Mediated Nourishment of Gut Microbiota Protects against Diet-Induced Obesity by Restoring IL-22-Mediated Colonic Health

Dietary supplementation with fermentable fiber suppresses adiposity and the associated parameters of metabolic syndrome. Microbiota-generated fiber-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and free fatty acid receptors including GPR43 are thought to mediate these effects. We find that while fermentable (inulin), but not insoluble (cellulose), fiber markedly protected mice against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic syndrome, the effect was not significantly impaired by either inhibiting SCFA production or genetic ablation of GPR43. Rather, HFD decimates gut microbiota, resulting in loss of enterocyte proliferation, leading to microbiota encroachment, low-grade inflammation (LGI), and metabolic syndrome. Enriching HFD with inulin restored microbiota loads, interleukin-22 (IL-22) production, enterocyte proliferation, and antimicrobial gene expression in a microbiota-dependent manner, as assessed by antibiotic and germ-free approaches. Inulin-induced IL-22 expression, which required innate lymphoid cells, prevented microbiota encroachment and protected against LGI and metabolic syndrome. Thus, fermentable fiber protects against metabolic syndrome by nourishing microbiota to restore IL-22-mediated enterocyte function.

Na+-sensitive elevation in blood pressure is ENaC independent in diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance

The majority of patients with obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome have hypertension, but the mechanisms of hypertension are poorly understood. In these patients, impaired sodium excretion is critical for the genesis of Na(+)-sensitive hypertension, and prior studies have proposed a role for the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) in this syndrome. We characterized high fat-fed mice as a model in which to study the contribution of ENaC-mediated Na(+) reabsorption in obesity and insulin resistance. High fat-fed mice demonstrated impaired Na(+) excretion and elevated blood pressure, which was significantly higher on a high-Na(+) diet compared with low fat-fed control mice. However, high fat-fed mice had no increase in ENaC activity as measured by Na(+) transport across microperfused cortical collecting ducts, electrolyte excretion, or blood pressure. In addition, we found no difference in endogenous urinary aldosterone excretion between groups on a normal or high-Na(+) diet. High fat-fed mice provide a model of metabolic syndrome, recapitulating obesity, insulin resistance, impaired natriuresis, and a Na(+)-sensitive elevation in blood pressure. Surprisingly, in contrast to previous studies, our data demonstrate that high fat feeding of mice impairs natriuresis and produces elevated blood pressure that is independent of ENaC activity and likely caused by increased Na(+) reabsorption upstream of the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron.

Lack of soluble fiber drives diet-induced adiposity in mice

Diet-induced obesity is often modeled by comparing mice fed high-fat diet (HFD), which is made from purified ingredients, vs. normal chow diet (NCD), which is a low-fat assemblage of relatively unrefined plant and animal products. The mechanism by which HFD promotes adiposity is complex but thought to involve low-grade inflammation and altered gut microbiota. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which HFD-induced adiposity is driven by fat content vs. other factors that differentiate HFD vs. NCD. Mice were fed NCD, HFD, or other compositionally defined diets (CDD), designed to mimic NCD and/or explore the role of HFD components. A range of metabolic parameters reflecting low-grade inflammation and adiposity were assayed. Relative to NCD, HFD, and to a lesser, but, nonetheless, significant extent, CDD induced increased adiposity, indicating both lipid content and other aspects of HFD are obesogenic. Moreover, HFD and CDD induced a rapid and marked loss of cecal and colonic mass. Such CDD-induced effects were not affected by adjusting dietary protein levels/types but could be largely eliminated by exchanging insoluble fiber (cellulose) for soluble fiber (inulin). Replacing cellulose with inulin in HFD also protected mice against decreased intestinal mass, hyperphagia, and increased adiposity. Such beneficial effects of inulin were microbiota dependent, correlated with elevated fecal short-chain fatty acid levels analyzed via (1)H-NMR-based metabolomics and were partially recapitulated by administration of short-chain fatty acid. HFD-induced obesity is strongly promoted by its lack of soluble fiber, which supports microbiota-mediated intestinal tissue homeostasis that prevents inflammation driving obesity and metabolic syndrome.

The effects of high fat, low carbohydrate and low fat, high carbohydrate diets on tumor necrosis factor superfamily proteins and proinflammatory cytokines in C57BL/6 mice

There has been considerable inconsistency regarding the potential relationship between dyslipidemia and bone metabolism. The inflammatory stimulation through the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/ receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK)/ osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway could be the infrastructural mechanism for hypercholesterolemia-induced bone loss.In this study, we investigated the effect of dyslipidemia on RANKL and OPG alongside with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thirty male C57Bl/6 mice (4 weeks old) were randomized to two purified diet groups (15 animals in each group), high fat, low carbohydrate diet (HFLCD) and its matched low fat, high carbohydrate diet (LFHCD). After 12 weeks of feeding in standard situations, the plasma concentration of lipid profile, interleukin (IL) 1Beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and RANKL, OPG, and RANKL: OPG ratio were measured.In the present study, although the body weight significantly increased during 12 weeks in HFLCD and LFHCD groups, there were no significant differences in food intake, food efficiency ratio and weight gain between the two groups. The LFHCD group had significantly higher median RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio. There was no significant difference in plasma IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α concentration between LFHCD and HFLCD groups.These unexpected findings from LFHCD, that seem to be as a result of its higher carbohydrate proportion in comparison to HFLCD, implicate dietary carbohydrate rather than dietary fat as a more significant nutritional factor contributing to change in RANKL level and RANKL: OPG ratio.

Augmenting leptin circadian rhythm following a weight reduction in diet-induced obese rats: short- and long-term effects

The current study sought to examine whether leptin injections following a weight reduction in diet-induced obese rats would reduce both the enhanced food intake and body weight (BW) regain observed during the refeeding phase. Female Wistar rats (n = 100, 20 per group) were divided into 5 groups: (1) LEP rats were fed a high-fat (HF) diet (35% wt/wt) for 8 weeks to induce obesity and were then food-restricted (50% ad libitum) with a fortified high-fat diet for 2 weeks to induce a 20% BW loss. These rats were then refed the HF diet ad libtum for another 11 weeks. They were given leptin injections (200 microg/kg BW, twice daily, intraperitoneally ) for 19 days concomitant with the onset of refeeding. (2) SAL rats were treated in the same manner as LEP rats except that they were given saline injections; (3) PF rats were treated like SAL rats except that they were pair-fed with the LEP rats; (4) HFC rats were fed HF diet ad libitum; and (5) LFC rats were fed a low-fat (LF) diet (AIN-93M) ad libitum. Ten rats from each group were killed after leptin treatment and at the end of the study. Food and caloric intakes were monitored, and body composition and plasma glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were assessed at death. Leptin injections after a weight reduction briefly reduced energy intake during the first week only. After 19 days of treatment and to the end of the study, LEP and SAL rats were similar in energy intake, BW (LEP: 393 +/- 11.2 g, SAL: 371 +/- 14.1; difference not significant [NS]) and total body fat percent (LEP: 19.3 +/- 1.5, SAL: 17.6 +/- 1.5; NS). Leptin treatment induced hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. All of the metabolic abnormalities observed at the end of treatment period disappeared at the end of the study (8 weeks post-leptin injection). We conclude that bolus leptin injections to manipulate leptin circadian rhythm in diet-induced obese rats after a weight reduction caused temporary insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, and were ineffective in influencing food intake, BW, and fat content. Leptin resistance was evident following 1 week of treatment in this study. Leptin treatment had no effect on body fat content both short-term and long-term. Exogenous leptin treatment may, in the long run, increase leptin resistance in diet-induced obese animals. Hence, long-term leptin treatment may not be beneficial to obese individuals consuming a HF diet.

Effect of a modified milk fat and calcium in purified diets on cholesterol metabolism in hamsters

Modification of milk fat both by partially replacing saturated FA with oleic acid (18:1) and by increasing calcium intake independently reduces plasma cholesterol. Whether modification of both factors together would synergistically reduce plasma cholesterol is unknown. Seventy-two male golden Syrian hamsters were separated into four diet treatment groups (n = 18/group) and fed ad libitum for 7 wk. Diets contained either modified milk fat (MMF) or regular milk fat (RMF) with either 0.5% (MMF and RMF) or 1.3% calcium (w/w) (MMFC and RMFC). All diets contained 11% test fat, 4% soybean oil, and 0.15% cholesterol (w/w). During the last week, feces were collected for three consecutive days for analysis of fecal FA, cholesterol, and calcium excretion. Overnight-fasted animals were sacrificed, and plasma and livers were collected for lipid analysis. Neither MMF nor additional calcium significantly affected plasma lipids. However, significant interactions existed between MMF and additional calcium for the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (LDL/HDL), indicating that increased calcium intake reduced this ratio only in RMF animals. In addition, MMF reduced LDL/HDL relative to RMF. MMF significantly increased hepatic total and esterified cholesterol. Additional calcium significantly increased fecal calcium and saturated FA (SFA) excretion, whereas MMF significantly reduced SFA excretion. RMFC induced the highest excretion of 16:0 among all groups. Replacement of SFA with 18:1 in the MMF reduced the impact of high calcium on LDL/HDL. Additional calcium reduced LDL/HDL only in the presence of RMF, which may be achieved through an increased excretion of 16:0.

Differential effects of fatty acids and exercise on body weight regulation and metabolism in female Wistar rats

High-fat diets made with different fats may have distinct effects on body weight regulation and metabolism. In the present study, the metabolic effects of high-fat (HF) diets made with fish oil, palm oil, and soybean oil were compared with a low-fat diet in female Wistar rats that were either exercised (EX, swimming) or that remained sedentary as controls. Each adult rat was exposed to the same diet that their dams consumed during pregnancy and lactation. When they were 9 weeks old, rats began an EX regimen that lasted for 6 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last EX bout, rats were sacrificed in a fasted state. It was observed that HF feeding of soybean oil induced more body weight and fat gain, as well as insulin resistance, as indicated by insulin/glucose ratios, than other oils. Female rats fed a HF diet made with fish oil had body weight and insulin sensitivity not different from that observed in low fat fed control rats. For rats fed HF diets made with soybean oil or palm oil, EX also exerted beneficial effects by reducing body fat %, blood insulin, triglyceride and leptin levels, as well as improving insulin sensitivity.

Effects of dietary fatty acids and exercise on body-weight regulation and metabolism in rats

OBJECTIVE

To assess the interaction of high-fat diets (HF) made with different dietary fatty acids and exercise on body-weight regulation, adiposity, and metabolism.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Male Wistar rats born to dams fed HF diets (40% w/w) made with either fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SO), or palm oil (PO) were fed diets similar to their dams and divided randomly into exercise (EX, swimming) or sedentary control (SD) groups when they were 9 weeks old. EX lasted for 6 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last EX bout, fasted rats were killed by decapitation. Chemical analyses and body composition analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that different fatty acids had different effects on body weight, composition, and metabolism. SO-fed rats gained the most weight and fat. EX reduced body weight of FO- and PO-fed rats, but SO-fed rats were still heavier and fatter than other rats. Data from SO- and PO-fed rats suggested that they are insulin resistant and that EX normalized this abnormality. Of the three HF diets used, FO produced the least adverse effects compared with PO and SO.

DISCUSSION

Not only the quantity of dietary fat, but also the type of fat used, will produce different effects on body weight and metabolism. EX ameliorates the suggested insulin resistance induced in rats fed either highly saturated or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as found in fish oil, are more beneficial than n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids when fed in high amounts to rats.