Effects of urolithins on obesity-associated gut dysbiosis in rats fed on a high-fat diet

Abstract

Obesity is a global health concern associated with the dysbiosis of intestinal microbial composition. In this study, we investigated the potentials of urolithin A (Uro-A) and urolithin B (Uro-B), two gut microbiota-derived metabolites of ellagitannins, in reducing body weight gain through the modulation of the gut microbiota. We established a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model in rats that were later administered with either 2.5 mg/kg of Uro-A or Uro-B. Serum biochemical parameters were quantified, and changes in the composition of the gut microbial community were analysed using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Our results showed that the urolithins significantly decreased the body weight in HFD-fed rats and restored serum lipid profile. The taxonomic analysis showed that both Uro-A and Uro-modulated gut microbes related to body weight, dysfunctional lipid metabolism and inflammation. Overall, our results suggest that Uro-A and Uro-B possess anti-obesity properties, which may be related to the modulation of the gut microbial composition.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• 16S rDNA sequencing
• ellagitannin
• gut microbiota
• obesity
• urolithin

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the Deanship of Graduate Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Hasan Al-Talhi and Mr. Muhammad Gandura for their technical assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia under Grant No. [KEP-15-130-41].