Li X, Shi W, Xiong Q, Hu Y, Qin X, Wan G, Zeng Q. Leptin improves intestinal flora dysfunction in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.
J Int Med Res 2020;
48:300060520920062. [PMID:
32529880 PMCID:
PMC7294385 DOI:
10.1177/0300060520920062]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the effects of leptin on intestinal flora and inflammation in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.
METHODS
Mice were fed an HFD for 8 weeks; some were concurrently administered oral leptin for 4 weeks. Pathological changes in adipose tissue were detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining; endotoxin content in adipose tissue was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal flora were characterized by 16S bacterial rDNA sequencing. Levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α (IκB-α), and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) were detected by western blotting.
RESULTS
Mice in the HFD group exhibited weight gain, elevated endotoxin content, and adipocyte hypertrophy, compared with the non-obese control group. Moreover, abundance of bacteria in the Bacteroides genus and community diversity were both reduced in the HFD group; reductions also were observed at corresponding phylum, class, and order levels. Levels of TLR4, IκB-α, and p-JNK were also elevated in the HFD group. Compared with the model group, leptin administration reduced the weight gain and endotoxin content, while increasing Bacteroides abundance and community diversity; it also reduced the levels of TLR4, IκB-α, and p-JNK.
CONCLUSION
Leptin administration improved intestinal flora dysfunction and inflammation in mice with HFD-induced obesity.
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