Abstract
The intestinal microbiota and its metabolites appear to be an important factor for gastrointestinal function and health. However, research is still needed to further elaborate potential relationships between nutrition, gut microbiota and host’s health by means of a suitable animal model. The present study examined the effect of two different diets on microbial composition and activity by using the pig as a model for humans. Eight pigs were equally allotted to two treatments, either fed a low-fat/high-fiber (LF), or a high-fat/low-fiber (HF) diet for 7 weeks. Feces were sampled at day 7 of every experimental week. Diet effects on fecal microbiota were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR, DNA fingerprinting and metaproteomics. Furthermore, fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles and ammonia concentrations were determined. Gene copy numbers of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria (P<0.001) and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (P<0.05) were higher in the LF pigs, while Enterobacteriaceae were more abundant in the HF pigs (P<0.001). Higher numbers of proteins affiliated to Enterobacteriaceae were also present in the HF samples. Proteins for polysaccharide breakdown did almost exclusively originate from Prevotellaceae. Total and individual fecal SCFA concentrations were higher for pigs of the LF treatment (P<0.05), whereas fecal ammonia concentrations did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). Results provide evidence that beginning from the start of the experiment, the LF diet stimulated beneficial bacteria and SCFA production, especially butyrate (P<0.05), while the HF diet fostered those bacterial groups which have been associated with a negative impact on health conditions. These findings correspond to results in humans and might strengthen the hypothesis that the response of the porcine gut microbiota to a specific dietary modulation is in support of using the pig as suitable animal model for humans to assess diet-gut-microbiota interactions.Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD003447.
Highlights
The importance of the intestinal microbiota for gastrointestinal function and health has been shown in many studies with human subjects, and with model animals including rodents and pigs [1]
The beneficial effects of dietary fiber may be mediated in part by the increase of colonic fermentation and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production induced by the gut microbiota
A relationship between the frequency of certain bacterial groups and the development of obesity has been suggested both for humans and rodents [9,10]
Summary
The importance of the intestinal microbiota for gastrointestinal function and health has been shown in many studies with human subjects, and with model animals including rodents and pigs [1]. Diet composition reflects the substrates available for the intestinal microbiota, affecting their composition and metabolic activity Several bacteria such as species of the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium genera [1], or Faecalibacterium prausnitzii [2] have shown beneficial effects on the health of humans and animals, and may possibly be used as a biomarker of intestinal health. Specific species of bacterial groups such as Enterobacteriaceae (enterotoxic Escherichia coli, Shigella) are pathogenic and are known to be detrimental for both humans and animals [3,4] Within this regard, dietary fibers are associated with a beneficial diet having multiple effects such as regulation of the host gut bacterial community, hindgut fermentation and health, as reviewed by Anderson et al [5]. A relationship between the frequency of certain bacterial groups and the development of obesity has been suggested both for humans and rodents [9,10]
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