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Effects of obesity on gut microbiota using the obese Zucker rat model (637.2)
Author(s) -
Hakkak Reza,
Korourian Soheila,
Foley Steven,
Erickson Bruce
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.637.2
Subject(s) - firmicutes , gut flora , obesity , population , bacteroidetes , actinobacteria , biology , lactobacillus , obligate , feces , endocrinology , physiology , medicine , immunology , food science , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , ecology , 16s ribosomal rna , environmental health , fermentation
Obesity has been epidemic in the United States for more than two decades. Previously, we reported that obesity promotes DMBA‐induced mammary tumor development using the obese Zucker rat model. The intestinal microbiota is composed of a diverse population of obligate and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, and these organisms carry out a broad range of metabolic activities. Obesity has been linked to changes in the intestinal microbiota, but the composition of the bacterial population in lean and obese Zucker rats has not been carefully studied. Therefore, the objective of study was to determine the effects of obesity on the gut microbiota in this model strain. Lean and obese female Zucker rats (n=16) were assigned to AIN‐93‐G diet for 8 weeks. Fecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. Quantitative group‐specific real‐time PCR was used to evaluate the composition of the fecal bacterial populations. Differences in the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratios and levels of Actinobacteria present were associated with the subsequent lean or obese state. Our preliminary results suggest that there are differences between gut microbiota of the lean and obese rats using the Zucker rat model. Further investigation will be needed to determine the effects of obesity on gut microbiota in relation to DMBA‐induced mammary tumor formation. Grant Funding Source : UAMS Children University Medical Group