Protective Effects of White Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) against Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Mice Are Linked to Modification of Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites

Abstract

Disturbances in the gut microbiota and its derived metabolites are closely related to the occurrence and development of hepatic steatosis. The white kidney bean (WKB), as an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, and phytochemicals, has recently received widespread attention and might exhibit beneficial effects on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis via targeting gut microbiota and its metabolites. The results indicated that HFD, when supplemented with WKB for 12 weeks, could potently reduce obesity symptoms, serum lipid profiles, and glucose, as well as improve the insulin resistance and liver function markers in mice, thereby alleviating hepatic steatosis. An integrated fecal microbiome and metabolomics analysis further demonstrated that WKB was able to normalize HFD-induced gut dysbiosis in mice, thereby mediating the alterations of a wide range of metabolites. Particularly, WKB remarkably increased the relative abundance of probiotics (Akkermansiaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, and norank_f_Muribaculaceae) and inhibited the growth of hazardous bacteria (Mucispirillum, Enterorhabdus, and Dubosiella) in diet-induced hepatic steatosis mice. Moreover, the significant differential metabolites altered by WKB were annotated in lipid metabolism, which could ameliorate hepatic steatosis via regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism. This study elucidated the role of WKB from the perspective of microbiome and metabolomics in preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which provides new insights for its application in functional foods.

A Comparative Analysis between Whole Chinese Yam and Peeled Chinese Yam: Their Hypolipidemic Effects via Modulation of Gut Microbiome in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

“…Bifidobacterium could increase the content of acetate in the gut, which in turn plays a role in regulating fat accumulation [43]. Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium are highly correlated with the prevention of hyperlipidemia, which has been proven by numerous studies [44,45]. A previous study revealed that supplementation with whole mung beans could markedly improve lipid metabolism by increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium [23].…”

Anti-Obesity Effect of Combining White Kidney Bean Extract, Propolis Ethanolic Extract and CrPi3 on Sprague-Dawley Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

“…Our results are supported by earlier studies on the effects of a WKBE-fed diet on rats’ kidney functions and blood glucose levels. These studies also observed a significant reduction in the elevated blood glucose level brought on by a high-fat diet in rats, as well as in the area under the curve of the time course of glycaemia and the postprandial glucose level [ 58 , 59 , 100 ]. This is in accordance with other PEE-based research that showed markedly elevated serum biochemical markers for renal function and insulin resistance [ 66 ].…”

Postnatal Consumption of Black Bean Powder Protects against Obesity and Dyslipidemia in Male Adult Rat Offspring from Obese Pregnancies

“…This is supported by several previous reports suggesting a potential role of pulses in MASLD development. Recently, Feng et al (2023) [54] reported that C57/BL6J male mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with (20%) white kidney bean powder for 12 weeks demonstrated a reduction in hepatic total cholesterol and TG compared with mice that were fed a high-fat diet alone, possibly by normalizing high-fat-diet-induced dysbiosis. Likewise, another previous study in a similar C57/BL6J mouse model reported a protective effect of mung bean protein isolate in reducing liver TG accumulation in male mice fed an atherogenic MASLD-promoting diet [55].…”