Gut Microbiota-mediated Anti-inflammatory Effects of Whole Strawberry: A Novel Mechanism to Inhibit Colitis (OR24-05-19)

Abstract

Objectives

Berry fruits have been linked with various health benefits. Our previous research demonstrated that whole strawberry in the diet inhibited dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. This study was aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of strawberry in the colon.

Methods

A series of metabolomics analysis, next generation sequencing, fecal transplant study and dietary intervention study were conducted in mice.

Results

The results showed that colitic mice had severe microbiota dysbiosis and aberrant purine metabolism with excessive uric acid accumulated in the colon, while whole strawberry treatment alleviated microbiota dysbiosis and decreased colonic levels of uric acid in the colitic mice. Furthermore, a fecal transplant study demonstrated that the gut microbiota dysbiosis directly caused the accumulation of uric acid in the mouse colon, as well as colonic inflammation in mice. Dietary supplementation of uric acid in mice confirmed that excessive uric acid in the colon promoted colonic inflammation, and dietary whole strawberry effectively reduced colonic uric acid levels and inhibited colonic inflammation in the uric acid-fed mice.

Conclusions

Overall our results demonstrated a novel anti-inflammation mechanism: whole strawberry alleviated microbiota dysbiosis, which in turn prevented colonic inflammation by inhibiting microbiota dysbiosis-induced accumulation of uric acid in the colon.

Funding Sources

This study was supported in part by USDA and NIH.

Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs