Replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids increases the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and is associated with reduced total cholesterol levels—a randomized controlled trial in healthy individuals

Abstract

Background Improving dietary fat quality strongly affects serum cholesterol levels and hence the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent studies have identified dietary fat as a potential modulator of the gut microbiota, a central regulator of host metabolism including lipid metabolism. We have previously shown a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels after replacing saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary fat quality on gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and bile acids in healthy individuals. In addition, to investigate how changes in gut microbiota correlate with blood lipids, bile acids, and fatty acids. Methods Seventeen participants completed a randomized, controlled dietary crossover study. The participants received products with SFAs (control) or PUFAs in random order for three days. Fecal samples for gut microbiota analyses and fasting blood samples (lipids, fatty acids, and bile acids) were measured before and after the three-day intervention. Results Of a panel of 40 bacteria, Lachnospiraceae and Bifidobacterium spp. were significantly increased after intervention with PUFAs compared with SFAs. Interestingly, changes in Lachnospiraceae, as well as Phascolarlactobacterium sp. and Eubacterium hallii, was also found to be negatively correlated with changes in total cholesterol levels after replacing the intake of SFAs with PUFAs for three days. No significant differences in SCFAs or bile acids were found after the intervention. Conclusion Replacing SFAs with PUFAs increased the abundance of the gut microbiota family of Lachnospiraceae and Bifidobacterium spp. Furthermore, the reduction in total cholesterol after improving dietary fat quality correlated with changes in the gut microbiota family Lachnospiraceae. Future studies are needed to reveal whether Lachnospiraceae may be targeted to reduce total cholesterol levels. Trial registration The study was registered at Clinical Trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/, registration identification number: NCT03658681).

Assessment of the causal relationship between gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis

“…In recent studies, Deng et al found that empagliflozin may provide cardiovascular benefits by altering gut microbiota and plasma metabolites [ 6 ]. Consistently, Telle-Hansen et al showed that replacing saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids altered heart-related the abundance of specific gut microbiota [ 7 ], which improved the prognosis. Several other studies have shown that changes in trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) which is produced by gut bacteria, strongly associated with different pathological conditions in the heart, including hypertension and atherosclerosis [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Integrated microbiome, metabolome and transcriptome profiling reveals the beneficial effects of fish oil and Bacillus subtilis jzxj-7 on mouse gut ecosystem

“…FO combined with B. subtilis jzxj-7 improved the abundance of immunity-related bacterial taxa. After 14 days of supplementation, an increase in the abundance of probiotics Faecalibaculum , 38 Bifidobacterium , 39 and Lachnospiraceae NK4B4 40 indicated that FO in combination with B. subtilis jzxj-7 exerted a positive influence for beneficial bacteria to thrive. Furthermore, FO and B. subtilis jzxj-7 suppressed the relative abundance of potential disease biomarker microbes including Muribaculaceae , 41 Staphylococcus , 42 Raoultella , 43 Escherichia – Shigella , 44 and Rikenellaceae , 45 suggesting that FO and B. subtilis jzxj-7 could potentially be a functional food that could prevent pathogen infections.…”

Industrial and Ruminant Trans-Fatty Acids-Enriched Diets Differentially Modulate the Microbiome and Fecal Metabolites in C57BL/6 Mice

“…Similarly, in another study in which mice received 60% of energy from fat (mainly lard), a lower amount of Lachnospiraceae was observed after 9 weeks [ 68 ]. Lachnospiraceae appears to be positively associated with unsaturated fat intake and negatively associated with triglycerides and I- t FA exposure [ 69 , 70 ]. Lactobacillus is a group of probiotic bacteria known for their beneficial effects by improving the bioavailability of nutrients [ 71 ].…”