Abstract
Nopal is a cactus plant widely consumed in Mexico that has been used in traditional medicine to aid in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. We previously showed that chronic consumption of dehydrated nopal ameliorated hepatic steatosis in obese (fa/fa) rats; however, description of the effects on other tissues is sparse. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of nopal cladode consumption on intestinal physiology, microbial community structure, adipose tissue, and serum biochemistry in diet-induced obese rats. Rats were fed either a normal fat (NF) diet or a HF diet containing 4% of dietary fiber from either nopal or cellulose for 6 weeks. Consumption of nopal counteracted HF-induced adiposity and adipocyte hypertrophy, and induced profound changes in intestinal physiology. Nopal consumption reduced biomarkers of intestinal inflammation (mRNA expression of IL-6) and oxidative stress (ROS), modfied gut microbiota composition, increasing microbial diversity and cecal fermentation (SCFA), and altered the serum metabolome. Interestingly, metabolomic analysis of dehydrated nopal revealed a high choline content, which appeared to generate high levels of serum betaine, that correlated negatively with hepatic triglyceride (TAG) levels. A parallel decrease in some of the taxa associated with the production of trimethylamine, suggest an increase in choline absorption and bioavailability with transformation to betaine. The latter may partially explain the previously observed effect of nopal on the development of hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence on the effects of nopal consumption on normal and HF-diet induced changes in the intestine, the liver and systemic metabolism.
Highlights
Opuntia ficus indica, known as nopal or prickly pear cactus, is widely consumed in the Mexican diet and used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0171672 February 14, 2017Beneficial effects of nopal consumption in high-fat fed rats
We recently demonstrated that chronic consumption of dehydrated nopal ameliorated hepatic steatosis by increasing VLDL secretion in obese rats
Food intake, adiposity level, intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress markers, serum biochemical markers and metabolic profiles were measured in response to nopal feeding for 6 weeks
Summary
Known as nopal or prickly pear cactus, is widely consumed in the Mexican diet and used as a traditional medicine in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0171672 February 14, 2017. HF diet-induced obesity has been linked to chronic, low levels of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial breakdown product, which may arise from changes in gut microbial composition and increased intestinal permeability [14] As a consequence, this “metabolic endotoxemia” is thought to drive changes in body weight regulation, glucose tolerance and result in the development of fatty liver [15]. Food intake, adiposity level, intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress markers, serum biochemical markers and metabolic profiles were measured in response to nopal feeding for 6 weeks These data were subsequently integrated with the profile of microbial fermentation by-products and microbial composition to provide insight into the molecular mechanism of the beneficial effects of nopal consumption
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