Gut Microbiota Induced by Pterostilbene and Resveratrol in High-Fat-High-Fructose Fed Rats: Putative Role in Steatohepatitis Onset

Abstract

Resveratrol and its 2-methoxy derivative pterostilbene are two phenolic compounds that occur in foodstuffs and feature hepato-protective effects. This study is devoted to analysing and comparing the metabolic effects of pterostilbene and resveratrol on gut microbiota composition in rats displaying NAFLD induced by a diet rich in saturated fat and fructose. The associations among changes induced by both phenolic compounds in liver status and those induced in gut microbiota composition were also analysed. For this purpose, fifty Wistar rats were distributed in five experimental groups: a group of animals fed a standard diet (CC group) and four additional groups fed a high-fat high-fructose diet alone (HFHF group) or supplemented with 15 or 30 mg/kg bw/d of pterostilbene (PT15 and PT30 groups, respectively) or 30 mg/kg bw/d of resveratrol (RSV30 group). The dramatic changes induced by high-fat high-fructose feeding in the gut microbiota were poorly ameliorated by pterostilbene or resveratrol. These results suggest that the specific changes in microbiota composition induced by pterostilbene (increased abundances of Akkermansia and Erysipelatoclostridium, and lowered abundance of Clostridum sensu stricto 1) may not entirely explain the putative preventive effects on steatohepatitis.

Modifications in the Intestinal Functionality, Morphology and Microbiome Following Intra-Amniotic Administration (Gallus gallus) of Grape (Vitis vinifera) Stilbenes (Resveratrol and Pterostilbene)

“…A bidirectional relationship exists between the host and microbes that is vital to intestinal functionality and overall health [6,66,67]. We hypothesized that the stilbene treatments would alter the composition and function of the gut microbiome, similar to what previous studies found [49,68]. In the current study, the microbial analyses indicated that the 5% inulin treatment group differed in the distance metrics compared with the other treatment groups (Figure 3B).…”

“…Previous studies, which evaluated the benefits of resveratrol and pterostilbene, have posited chemoprotective [ 46 ], cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory activities [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 47 ]. However, limited research that assessed the effects of resveratrol and pterostilbene on the intestinal microbiome in vivo [ 48 , 49 ] is available. In addition, nothing in the literature presently exists which directly measures the effects of these bioactive compounds on the mineral status, BBM morphology or functionality.…”

Involvement of microbiota and short-chain fatty acids on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis when induced by feeding a hypercaloric diet rich in saturated fat and fructose

“…Body weight and food intake were monitored daily. Faecal samples were collected and processed as explained elsewhere (Milton-Laskibar et al, 2021). Serum was obtained by blood sample centrifugation after clotting (1,000 g for 10 minutes, at 4ºC).…”

A Molecular Insight into the Role of Antioxidants in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases

“…Gut microbiota dysbiosis has been often linked with the existence of obesity and diabetes with NAFLD (Aron-Wisnewsky et al,[ 102 ]). Resveratrol treatment failed to attenuate high-fat and fructose-induced dysbiosis in the gut microbiota (Milton-Laskibar et al, [ 103 ]). However, a recent report found that resveratrol could improve liver steatosis and IR in NAFLD by significantly changing the diversity and gut microbiota composition (Du et al, [ 104 ]).…”