The Effect of Stool Transplantation on Weight Control in Obese Rats

Abstract

Introduction Obesity is defined as a multifactorial metabolic syndrome in which there is an excessive number of fat cells within the tissues. It is discussed that intestinal microbiota might have a relevant relation with obesity, since it is relevantly altered in obese patients. Objectives To assess the effect of stool transplantation (ST) in the condition of obesity and its outcomes in an experimental model of cafeteria diet by analyzing histology and weight gain. Methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: control (CO), control with antibiotics (CO + ATB), obesity (CAF + ATB), stool transplantation (ATB + ST) and obesity with stool transplantation (CAF + ATB + ST). During the experiment, obesity induction groups received cafeteria diet, whereas the remaining groups had normal diet ad libitum. After 3 months, daily ST was carried out for 8 weeks by gavage procedure. The animals were euthanized, and the small intestine was harvested for further analysis. Results It was observed that before starting the ST, the cafeteria and normal diet groups had significant weight difference (p < 0,0001). In the comparison between CAF + ATB and CAF + ATB + ST during the gavage period, the CAF + ATB + ST group presented lower weight gain (p = 0.0017). The histopathological evaluation show that the ATB + ST group did not present intestinal crypt distortion. Conclusion Cafeteria diet resulted in an expected weight gain. In relation to the ST, it has been shown that the procedure is effective in reducing weekly weight gain. Apparently, there was no induction of disabsortive syndrome in nonobese animals that received ST.