<i>Nostoc sphaeroids</i> Kütz ameliorates hyperlipidemia and maintains the intestinal barrier and gut microbiota composition of high‐fat diet mice

Zhu

et al. 2022

Front. Nutr.

BackgroundSeveral cardioprotective mechanisms attributed to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been widely documented. Significant interest has recently focused on the role of human gut microbiota in metabolic disorders. However, the role of plant-derived n-3 PUFAs on blood lipid profiles is controversial and the effect on gut microbiota is still unclear.ObjectivesWe aimed to perform a double-blind randomized controlled trial to test the effect of plant-derived n-3 PUFAs on the blood lipids and gut microbiota of patients with marginal hyperlipidemia.MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 75 participants with marginal hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to the intervention group (supplied with n-3 PUFA-enriched plant oil) or control group (supplied with corn oil), respectively, for a 3-month treatment. Participants and assessors were blinded to the allocation. The primary outcomes of the trial were the changes in serum lipid levels. Secondary outcomes were changes in gut microbiota and metabolites. For the primary outcomes, we conducted both an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis and a per protocol (PP) analysis. For the secondary outcomes, we only conducted the PP analysis among the participants who provided fecal sample.ResultsFifty-one participants completed the trial. Relative to the control group, the n-3 PUFA supplementation resulted in significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) levels (−0.43 mmol/L, 95% CI−0.84 to−0.01 mmol/L, P < 0.05). The n-3 PUFA supplementation was also associated with significantly increased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes in phylum level (P < 0.01; false discovery rate (FDR) corrected p = 0.11), and decreased the ratio between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05; FDR corrected p = 0.16). At genus level, the intervention of plant derived n-3 PUFAs resulted in a significant decrease in relative abundance of Phascolarctobacterium (P < 0.01; FDR corrected p = 0.18) and Veillonella (P < 0.01; FDR corrected p = 0.18) after the intervention.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that plant-derived n-3 PUFAs beneficially affected the serum levels of TC and decreased the ratio between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes during the 12-week intervention period, which might confer advantageous consequences for lipid metabolism and intestinal health.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Effect of Plant-Derived n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Blood Lipids and Gut Microbiota: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Zhu

et al. 2022

Front. Nutr.

“…Moreover, the polysaccharide is mostly β -1, 3 and β -1, 4 glycoside bonds, which are not easy to be absorbed by the intestinal tract, and it has strong moisture absorption, moisture retention, and high relative viscosity [ 9 , 13 , 14 ]. Studies have shown that NSKP has rich biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects [ 15 – 17 ]. However, there are a few studies on moistening intestines and the laxative effect of NSKP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz Polysaccharide Improved Constipation and Promoted Intestinal Motility in Rats

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Yang

et al. 2021

Self Cite

Natural products and medicinal foods have attracted more and more attention because of their potential prevention and inhibition effect on constipation. Nostoc sphaeroides Kütz Polysaccharide (NSKP) polysaccharide is a natural product rich in polysaccharides. This work attempted to prove the effects of aqueous extracts of NSKP on STC treatment and to determine the possible mechanisms by a loperamide-induced slow transit constipation (STC) model. The results show that, in rats of the NSKP group, compared with the model group, the colon propulsion rate was improved, the time of the first grain of black stool was shortened, and the fecal wet weight was increased remarkably. The 5-HT levels were increased, but the VIP and NO levels were reduced dramatically. The number of interstitial cells of cajal (ICC) was increased by c-kit/SCF signal pathway, and the intestines were moisturized; then, constipation was relieved. It is interesting to note that NSKP appeared to be effective on constipation, so further experiments are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms involved.

“…Previous studies in our laboratory have proved that Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz can improve liver injury and intestinal microorganisms. These improvements mechanisms are related to the inhibition of the expression of inflammatory factors (Wei et al, 2019(Wei et al, , 2020. The polysaccharide content in Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz is as high as 38%.…”

Section: Discussion and Con Clus I On Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz polysaccharide on renal fibrosis in high‐fat mice

Yang

Food Science & Nutrition

et al. 2022

Self Cite

In this study, we investigated the effects of Nostoc sphaeroids Kütz polysaccharide (NSKP) on renal fibrosis in high‐fat mice. ApoE−/− male mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (Cont) group, high‐fat diet (HFD) group, HFD+0.4 g/kg BW NSKP, and HFD+0.8 g/kg BW NSKP (NSKP groups). The Cont was fed a standard diet. The HFD group was fed HFD. Every day, NSKP groups were fed HFD, as well as given 0.4 g/kg BW or 0.8 g/kg BW NSKP. After 22 weeks, the serum biochemical indices (TC, TG, LDL‐C, HDL‐C, GLU, BUN, and SCR) were measured. For the kidney, the histopathological sections were observed and analyzed, and inflammatory factors and markers of renal fibrosis were measured. For the NSKP groups, the serum TC, TG, LDL‐C, BUN, and SCR were decreased, HDL‐C significantly increased compared with the HFD group. The protein expressions of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and TGF‐β1 were significantly downregulated. The α‐SMA in renal cortex was decreased, and the mRNA expression of Col‐I and Col‐IV in renal collagen fibers was downregulated. To sum up, NSKP reduced the blood lipid of HFD mice, downregulated the inflammation of kidney, inhibited the expression of collagen fiber, and improved the renal fibrosis caused by long‐term lipid metabolism disorder.