Low-dose radiation exaggerates HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction by gut microbiota through PA-PYCR1 axis

Commun Biol. 2022 Sep 10;5(1):945. doi: 10.1038/s42003-022-03929-1.

Abstract

Co-exposure of High-fat-diet (HFD) behavior and environmental low-dose radiation (LDR) is common among majority occupational workers, but the synergism of this co-exposure in metabolic health is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of gut microbiota and its metabolites on the regulation of HFD accompanied by LDR-associated with metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. Here, we reported that Parasutterella was markedly elevated in the gut microbiota of mice in co-exposure of HFD and LDR, accompanied by increased pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid (PA) level in both intestine and plasma. Transplantation of fecal microbiota from mice with co-exposure HFD and LDR with metabolic dysfunction resulted in increased disruption of metabolic dysfunction, insulin resistance and increased PYCR1 (Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1) expression. Mechanistically, intestinal barrier was damaged more serious in mice with co-exposure of HFD and LDR, leading high PA level in plasma, activating PYCR1 expression to inhibit insulin Akt/mTOR (AKT kinase-transforming protein/Serine threonine-protein kinase) signaling pathway to aggravate HFD-induced metabolic impairments. This study suggests a new avenue for interventions against western diet companied with low dose radiation exposure-driven metabolic impairments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diet, High-Fat / adverse effects
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt