Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Colon Mucosal Damage Induced by a High‐Fat Diet via Gut Microflora Adjustment to Increase Short‐Chain Fatty Acid Accumulation in Rats

Abstract

A high-fat diet (HFD) has been previously associated with the development of diseases such as chronic colitis. While chlorogenic acid (CGA) is known to exhibit potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, little is known about its effects on intestinal inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of CGA on intestinal inflammation in an HFD-induced obesity rat model and assessed whether these effects were related to changes in gut microbiota composition. This was achieved by examining physiological and biochemical indicators, the liver transcriptome, and the structure of the fecal microflora. CGA treatment significantly reduced HFD-induced internal organ weight gain, promoted colon tissue repair, downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and promoted the accumulation of the tight junction protein. KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes, applied to data from the RNA-seq of rat liver tissue, revealed that CGA treatment significantly affected amino acid and lipid metabolism in the liver. Furthermore, CGA decreased the abundance of bacteria belonging to the genera Blautia, Sutterella, and Akkermansia and increased butyric acid levels, which were positively correlated with the abundance of Ruminococcus (butyric acid producer). Moreover, the beneficial changes observed in the HFD group were not as pronounced as those in the CGA treatment group. In summary, CGA can alleviate colitis in HFD-induced obesity through its anti-inflammatory effects associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids and thus can be used as a potential drug for the treatment of this pathology.

Caffeic Acid Supplement Alleviates Colonic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Potentially Through Improved Gut Microbiota Community in Mice

“…Conversely, oral butyrate could alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice ( Wang R. X. et al, 2020 ). In addition, another previous study has demonstrated that supplementation of CGA could increase the production of butyric acid subsequently to alleviate HFD-induced intestinal inflammation in rats ( Xie et al, 2021 ). In parallel, dietary CGA supplementation increased butyric acid concentration in the colon, which means that CGA supplementation could improve the gut health of weaned pigs ( Zhang et al, 2018 ).…”

Chlorogenic Acid Improves NAFLD by Regulating gut Microbiota and GLP-1

“…However, there are few studies on the effect of CGA on gut microbiota, intestinal mucosal barrier, short-chain fatty acids and GLP-1 in NAFLD patients or animal models. Xie M found CGA can alleviate colitis in HFD-induced obesity through its anti-inflammatory effects associated with changes in gut microbiota composition and an increase in the production of short-chain fatty acids ( Xie et al, 2021 ). Mccarty MF found that CGA could increase GLP-1 secretion, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes ( Mccarty, 2005 ).…”

Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Lactobacillus casei Fermented Raspberry Juice In Vitro and In Vivo

“…At phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes with respect to Bacteroidetes (F/B ratio) was decreased among all the FRJ groups. Since an increment of F/B ratio was related to an imbalance in the taxonomic composition of gut microbiota [ 37 ], eventually resulting in metabolic disorders [ 38 ], it indicated that the FRJ might promote a healthier state of microbial composition. This hypothesis was supported by facts that all the FRJ doses improved the SCFAs production and the gene expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, Claudin-4, Ocdudin, E-cadherin, and Muc-2 in mice, which were positively correlated to the intestinal barrier function [ 19 ].…”