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EXAMINATION OF CHANGES IN INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA INDUCED BY HIGH FAT FEEDING IN MALE ADOLESCENT RATS
Author(s) -
Crawford Melisa Shaunte,
Whisner Corrie,
Sweazea Karen
Publication year - 2017
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.31.1_supplement.891.1
Subject(s) - firmicutes , bacteroidetes , biology , gut flora , feces , microbiome , actinobacteria , butyrate , prevotella , metagenomics , obesity , propionate , physiology , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , endocrinology , immunology , bacteria , biochemistry , bioinformatics , genetics , gene , 16s ribosomal rna , fermentation
The gut microbiome has a significant physiological impact in both health and disease. In a healthy individual, microbes influence metabolism, offer protection against pathogens and train the immune system. The dominant bacterial phyla in the human digestive system are gram‐positive Firmicutes and Actinobacteria as well as gram‐negative Bacteroidetes . Recent metagenomic studies show that obesity is associated with reduced Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes while an increase in Actinobacteria is observed . Additionally, the gut microbiome is implicated in the regulation of host metabolic processes, which include producing the short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), butyrate, acetate, and propionate. However, previous research has shown that prolonged consumption of a Westernized diet can drastically alter gut microbiota and increase the risk of obesity and other metabolic diseases in adults. Although it is known that energy dense foods can alter microbial diversity, less is known about the physiological effects of diet induced changes in the gut microbiome on cardiovascular disease risk in adolescents. Six‐week‐old periadolescent male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups (n=6 each) and fed either a standard rodent chow (18.9% protein, 57.33% carbohydrates, 5% fat) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) (20% protein, 20% carbohydrates [6.8% sucrose], 60% fat) for 6 weeks. Following the diets, fecal pellets were collected and sequenced at the Microbiome Analysis Lab at Arizona State University. Although not significant, the fecal taxonomy analyses suggest changes in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (Chow: 86.3±4.6%; HFD: 80.8±5.0%), Bacteroidetes (Chow: 5.6±2.4%; HFD: 15.0±4.9%), and Actinobacteria (Chow: 0.42±0.17%; HFD: 1.62±0.72%) following the HFD protocol. Understanding how the gut microbiome is altered with poor nutrition may elucidate potential treatment strategies for adolescent overweight and obesity as well as prevention of cardiovascular disease. Support or Funding Information Sigma Xi Grant‐in‐Aid Research Program