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Animal Models

A novel cobiotic-based preventive approach against high-fat diet-induced adiposity, nonalcoholic fatty liver and gut derangement in mice

International Journal of Obesity volume 40, pages 487–496 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

High-fat diets (HFDs) induce systemic inflammation, gut microbial derangements and disturb metabolic homeostasis, resulting in weight gain, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Numerous antioxidants and prebiotic/probiotics per se may prevent HFD-associated comorbidities, but there are no reports related to their combination.

Objective:

In the present study, we aim to evaluate a cobiotic combination of lycopene (antioxidant) and isomalto-oligosaccharides (IMOs, a prebiotic) for prevention of HFD-induced alterations.

Design:

Male Swiss albino mice were fed either normal pellet diet (NPD) or HFD and lycopene (5 and 10 mg kg−1), IMOs (0.5 and 1 g kg−1) or their combination for 12 weeks. Systemic adiposity, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, feeding regulators in hypothalamus, hepatosteatosis and liver inflammation, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), serum inflammatory cytokines, gut morphology and alterations in selected gut microbes were studied.

Results:

Lycopene, IMOs and their combination prevented weight gain, adiposity, improved adipose tissue fat mobilization and reduced insulin resistance. Hypothalamic orexigenic and anorectic genes have also been modulated by these treatments. Dietary interventions prevented NAFL-like symptoms and improved glucose homeostasis. Improvement in selected gut microbial abundance and SCFA concentration along with reduced systemic inflammation, metabolic endotoxemia and improved ileal and colonic health were observed in mice supplemented with lycopene, IMOs and their combination. Interestingly, cobiotic combination synergistically improved many of the HFD-induced alterations.

Conclusion:

The present work provide evidence that new approach based on cobiotic combination (antioxidant plus prebiotic) can be employed to develop novel class of functional foods for their application against HFD-associated pathological complications.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, for research grants given to National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute, Dr Mahendra Bishnoi and Dr Kanthi Kiran Kondepudi. The Lycovit gift samples provided by BASF-the chemical company and the efforts of Ms Sangeetha Srinivasan (Manager, New Business Development, Human Nutrition) for the same is highly acknowledged. IMO gift sample was provided by BioNeutra North America Inc. We also acknowledge the help of Ms Vandana Bijalwan for taking care of the mice during the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), SAS Nagar, India

    D P Singh, P Khare, K K Kondepudi, J Singh, R K Baboota & M Bishnoi

  2. Department of Pharmacology, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    D P Singh, P Khare & K Chopra

  3. BioNeutra North America Incorporation, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    J Zhu

  4. Department of Biotechnology, Government College for Girls, Chandigarh, India

    R K Boparai

  5. Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, The EVMS Sterling Centre of Diabetes and Endocrine Disorders, East Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA

    R Khardori

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  1. D P Singh
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Correspondence to K K Kondepudi, K Chopra or M Bishnoi.

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Singh, D., Khare, P., Zhu, J. et al. A novel cobiotic-based preventive approach against high-fat diet-induced adiposity, nonalcoholic fatty liver and gut derangement in mice. Int J Obes 40, 487–496 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2015.197

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