The potential modulation of gut microbiota and oxidative stress by dietary carotenoid pigments

Abstract

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating the response to immune checkpoint therapy, therefore modulation of the microbiome with bioactive molecules like carotenoids might be a very effective strategy to reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This review highlights the bio-functional effect of carotenoids on Gut Microbiota modulation based on a bibliographic search of the different databases. The methodology given in the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) has been employed for developing this review using papers published over two decades considering keywords related to carotenoids and gut microbiota. Moreover, studies related to the health-promoting properties of carotenoids and their utilization in the modulation of gut microbiota have been presented. Results showed that there can be quantitative changes in intestinal bacteria as a function of the type of carotenoid. Due to the dependency on several factors, gut microbiota continues to be a broad and complex study subject. Carotenoids are promising in the modulation of Gut Microbiota, which favored the appearance of beneficial bacteria, resulting in the protection of villi and intestinal permeability. In conclusion, it can be stated that carotenoids may help to protect the integrity of the intestinal epithelium from pathogens and activate immune cells.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gut microbiota plays an essential role in regulating the immune checkpoint therapy

• Carotenoids are promising molecules in the alteration of gut microbiota

• Carotenoids activate the immune cells resulting in a low incidence of oxidative stress

Keywords:

• Gut microbiota
• carotenoid
• carotene
• xanthophyll
• diet
• intestine

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. María Carmen Collado Amores (IATA-CSIC) for the comments and corrections of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the project PID2021-123628OB-C42 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE. Moreover, it was also funded by the University of Valencia through the project OTR2022-22590INVES “Estudio de la interacción de carotenoides con la microbiota colónica (CAROTCOLON)”, supported by the University of Seville. MB wishes to thank the post-PhD program of University of Barcelona for the requalification of the Spanish University System from the Ministry of universities of the Government of Spain, modality “Margarita Salas”, financed by the European Union, Next Generation EU. SMTG and ZA would like to acknowledge the support of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for SMTG via the Georg Forster Research Fellowship. AJMM acknowledges project P18-RT-1847-BIOLESS funded by the European Union and Junta de Andalucía through European Regional Development Fund ERDF (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER).