Pomegranate extract decreases metabolic endotoxemia by reshaping the gut microbiota in overweight-obese subjects: a randomized clinical trial

• Adrián Cortés-Martín ; Antonio González-Sarrías ^[1] ; María Romo-Vaquero ^[1] ; Rocío García-Villalba ^[1] ; María V. Selma ^[1] ; Juan Carlos Espín ^[1]
  1. [1] CEBAS-CSIC, Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos, Grupo de Investigación sobre Calidad, Seguridad y Bioactividad de Alimentos Vegetales, Laboratorio de Alimentos y Salud
• Localización: IV Jornadas Doctorales Escuela Internacional de Doctorado de la Universidad de Murcia (Eidum), 2019, ISBN 978-84-09-09200-0, págs. 953-959
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Scope: Gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier failure, obesity, metabolic endotoxemia and pro-inflammatory status promote cardiovascular risk. However, the modulation of the gut microbiome to prevent endotoxemia in obesity has been scarcely studied. We investiga- ted the association between gut microbiota modulation and plasma lipopolysaccharide-bin- ding protein (LBP), a surrogate marker of endotoxemia, in overweight-obese individuals.

    Methods and Results: In a randomized trial, 49 overweight-obese subjects (BMI>27 kg/ m2) with mild hypelipidemia daily consumed, in a cross-over fashion, two doses (D1 and D2, lasting 3 weeks each) of pomegranate extract (PE) or placebo alternating with 3 wee- ks of wash-out periods. A significant decrease (P<0.05) of plasma LBP and a marginal de- crease (P=0.054) of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were observed, but only after PE-D2 administration (656 mg phenolics). 16S rDNA sequencing analyses revealed the increase of microorganisms important for maintaining normal balance of gut microbiota and gut barrier function, particularly Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Butyricicoccus, Odoribacter and Butyricimonas. PE-D2 also decreased pro-inflammatory microorganisms including Parvi- monas, Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera. Remarkably, plasma LBP reduction was significantly associated (P<0.05) with both Faecalibacterium and Odoribacter increase and Parvimonas decrease.

    Conclusions: Consumption of PE decreased endotoxemia in overweight-obese indivi- duals by reshaping the gut microbiota, mainly through the modulation of Faecalibacterium, Odoribacter and Parvimonas.