Polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris prevent obesity in association with modulating gut microbiota and metabolites in high-fat diet-fed mice

Food Res Int. 2022 Jul:157:111197. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111197. Epub 2022 Apr 1.

Abstract

Improved gut microbes and nutritious metabolites have been considered as the mediators of health benefits from indigestible polysaccharides, but their role in the anti-obesity effect of polysaccharides from Cordyceps militaris (CMP) remains elusive. This study aims to explore the potential mediators of the anti-obesity effects of CMP in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis. The results showed that CMP supplementation in HFD-fed mice reduced body weight, fat accumulation, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and impaired glucose tolerance as well as gut barrier. Moreover, the CMP reversed the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, as indicated by the elevated population of Alloprevotella, Parabacteroides, Butyricimonas, and Alistipes; and decreased population of Negativebacillus, in addition to altered levels of metabolites, such as brassicasterol and 4'-O-methylkanzonol W. Notably, CMP prevented obesity in association with the altered gut microbes and metabolites. These findings suggest that CMP may serve as a potential prebiotic agent to modulate specific gut microbes and related metabolites, which play a critical role in its preventing obesity-related diseases.

Keywords: Cordyceps militaris; Gut microbiota; Inflammation; Metabolites; Obesity; Polysaccharide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteroidetes
  • Cordyceps*
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Mice
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • Polysaccharides
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S