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Changes in the Intestinal Microbiota and Host Inflammatory Gene Expression in Pigs Fed a Flavanol‐Enriched Cocoa Powder
Author(s) -
Jang Saebyeol,
Sun Jianghao,
Chen Pei,
Lakshman Sukla,
Molokin Aleksey,
Harnly James,
Urban Joseph,
Davis Cindy,
SolanoAguilar Gloria
Publication year - 2015
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.29.1_supplement.914.4
Subject(s) - lactobacillus casei , food science , lactobacillus , feces , gut flora , proanthocyanidin , chemistry , composition (language) , biology , adipose tissue , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , polyphenol , fermentation , linguistics , philosophy , antioxidant
To determine the effects of eating cocoa‐derived flavanols on the composition of the gut microbiota, associated metabolic profiles, and related features of host intestinal health, pigs were fed with 0, 2.5, 10, or 20 grams of flavanol‐enriched cocoa powder/day for 27 days. Analysis of phase II metabolites of cocoa‐derived flavanols demonstrated that O‐methyl‐(epi)catechin‐glucuronide conjugates were detected in a dose‐dependent manner in urine, serum, liver, and adipose tissue of pigs fed cocoa powder. Products of microbial metabolism such as phenylpropionic acids, phenylacetic acids, benzoic acids, cinnamic acids, and conjugated benzoic acids were detected in most of the tissue and bio‐fluids examined. Cocoa consumption also changed the composition of the intestinal microbiome. Pigs fed 20 gram of cocoa/day had significantly increased abundance of Lactobacillus species (casei group) in the feces and distal colon contents compared to pigs not fed cocoa. Moreover, consumption of cocoa powder reduced the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor‐α and toll‐like receptors‐2, ‐4, and ‐9 in most intestinal tissues examined. Overall, this study demonstrated that consumption of flavanol‐enriched cocoa can contribute to gut health by enhancing the abundance of Lactobacillus species and modulating markers of localized intestinal immunity.