Seven-day Green Tea Supplementation Revamps Gut Microbiome and Caecum/Skin Metabolome in Mice from Stress

Eun Sung Jung,Jong Il Park,Wilhelm Holzapfel,Jae Sung Hwang,Hyunjoon Park,Choong Hwan Lee

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-54808-5

Abstract

Green tea supplementation has beneficial health effects. However, its underlying mechanisms, such as effects on modulating the intestinal microbiome and endogenous metabolome, particularly following short-term supplementation, are largely unclear. We conducted an integrative metabolomics study to evaluate the effects of short-term (7-day) supplementation of green tea extract (GTE) or its components, epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine, and theanine, on the caecum microbiota and caecum/skin metabolome in mice. Further, we established an integrative metabolome-microbiome model for correlating gut and skin findings. The effects of short-term supplementation with dietary compounds were evaluated with respect to UV stress response, with GTE showing the most remarkable effects. Biplot analysis revealed that Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus spp. were considerably influenced by short-term GTE supplementation, while Clostridium butyricum was significantly increased by UV stress without supplementation. GTE supplementation helped the skin metabolome defend against UV stress. Interestingly, a significant positive correlation was observed between caecum bacteria (Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus spp.) and metabolites including skin barrier function-related skin metabolites, caecal fatty acids, and caecal amino acids. Overall, 7-day GTE supplementation was sufficient to alter the gut microbiota and endogenous caecum/skin metabolome, with positive effects on UV stress response, providing insight into the mechanism of the prebiotic effects of GTE supplementation.

Highlights

In biological systems such as cells, tissues, and organs, metabolomic approaches study various small molecules
We examined the effects of short-term supplementation with single compounds including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), caffeine, and theanine in mice compared to supplementation with green tea extract (GTE)
Female Skh:HR-1 mice were subjected to comprehensive metabolomics analysis to evaluate the effects of supplementing with GTE or its components EGCG, caffeine, and theanine for 7 days prior to UV stress on the caecum microbiota and endogenous metabolome changes

Summary

Introduction

In biological systems such as cells, tissues, and organs, metabolomic approaches study various small molecules. We showed that prolonged green tea supplementation influences the large intestinal microbiota and exo/endogenous metabolome in ultraviolet (UV) B-exposed mice[15]. Studies on the effects of short-term green tea intake on the body have been carried out, showing that green tea extract (GTE) can increase fat oxidation and can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance during moderate-intensity exercise in healthy young men 24 h after intake[16]. Based on the results of these studies, we devised the experimental scheme of this study, and hypothesized that short-term (7-day) supplementation of GTE modulates the intestinal microbiota and endogenous metabolome in mice, mitigating responses to UV stress. We examined the effects of short-term supplementation with single compounds including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), caffeine, and theanine in mice compared to supplementation with GTE

Methods

Results

Conclusion