Effect of dark sweet cherry (Prunus avium) supplementation on the fecal microbiota, metabolic endotoxemia, and intestinal permeability in obese subjects: a single-blind randomized trial

Food Funct. 2024 Sep 16;15(18):9563-9578. doi: 10.1039/d4fo01650e.

Abstract

This single blind placebo-controlled study has as its main objectives to investigate the influence of dark sweet cherries (DSC) consumption on obesity-related dysbiosis, metabolic endotoxemia, and intestinal permeability. Participants (>18 years old, BMI: 30-40 kg m-2) consumed 200 mL of DSC juice with 3 g of DSC powder (n = 19) or a placebo drink (n = 21) twice per day for 30 days. The gut microbiota abundance was investigated using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing on fecal DNA. Metabolic endotoxemia was evaluated by measuring lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) in fasting plasma samples. Intestinal permeability was assessed using the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test and by measuring regeneration islet-derived protein 4 (REG4), and interleukin-22 (IL-22) mRNA levels in stool samples. Results showed that DSC supplementation decreased the abundance of Anaerostipes hadrus (p = 0.02) and Blautia (p = 0.04), whose changes were significant in BMI ≥ 35 participants (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). Additionally, DSC prevented the increase of Alistipes shahii (p = 0.005) and Bilophila (p = 0.01) compared to placebo. Notably, DSC intervention favored the abundance of bacteria supporting a healthy gut ecosystem such as Roseburia intestinalis (p = 0.01), Turicibacter (p = 0.01), and Bacteroides vulgatus (p = 0.003) throughout the intervention, along with Clostridium leptum (p = 0.03) compared to placebo. The LBP, L/M ratio, REG-4 and IL-22 mRNA levels remained unchanged in placebo and cherry groups, implying that participants did not experience alterations in intestinal permeability. These findings highlight the potential gut-health benefits of DSC and encourage future research among individuals with BMI ≥ 35 and increased intestinal permeability.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Endotoxemia*
  • Feces* / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-22
  • Intestinal Barrier Function
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity* / diet therapy
  • Obesity* / metabolism
  • Obesity* / microbiology
  • Permeability*
  • Prunus avium*
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Interleukin-22