Bifidobacterium spp. reshaping in the gut microbiota by low dose of juçara supplementation and hypothalamic insulin resistance in Wistar rats

Abstract

High-fat diet (HFD) alters gut microbial diversity and drives a rapid development of hypothalamic inflammation, which impairs hypothalamic insulin sensitivity. The addition of berries in the diet may promote beneficial effects in the host. We investigated the potential of juçara with different doses on the reshaping of the microbiota and improvement in the hypothalamic insulin resistance (HIR) induced by acute HFD treatment. We analyzed pro and anti-inflammatory protein content and expression by ELISA (blood and colon) and Western blotting (hypothalamus); gene expression by RT-PCR (colon and stool). Juçara supplementation restored the fecal Bifidobacteria content, reduced colon inflammation and minimized HIR. It also down-regulated IRα and up-regulated pAkt and increased pAkt/Akt ratio. The lower dose was protective against the adverse effects of HFD, by enhancing IRα efficiency in the hypothalamus. To our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate the role of juçara in the HIR.

Keywords

• Inflammation
• Anthocyanins
• Fatty acids
• Intestinal permeability