The gut microbiota and key parameters associated with MAFLD are modified by MEXMIX

Introduction and Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of a mixture of Mexican functional foods: Optuna ficus indica, Theobroma cacao and edible crickets (MexMix) over a diet high in fat and fructose-sucrose in a mice model.

Materials and methods

Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups. Control group: Normal diet (ND). HF Group: High-fat diet and 42% fructose-sucrose water ad libitum. Therapeutic group (MexTHER): HF-diet up to week eight and switch to 8 additional weeks of HF-diet supplemented with 10% nopal, 10% cocoa and 10% cricket. The trial was approved by the research ethics committee.

Results

MexTHER group reduced body weight, liver weight, visceral fat, and epididymal fat compared to HF; as well as; serum levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, insulin, glucose, GIP, leptin, PAI-1 and resistin. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, we found that MexMix consumption increased the abundance of Lachnospira, Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group and Blautia. Besides, the genus Lachnospira showed significantly negative correlations with weight, epididymal fat, serum leptin, cholesterol and AUC-ITT, while Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia genus had a positive correlation with serum PAI-1, resistin, insulin and body weight; and Grammaproteobacteria class had a positive correlation with body weight and levels of cholesterol and LDL.

Discussion

Supplementation with MexMix improves biochemical parameters and enriches beneficial bacterial genus in MAFLD models.

Conclusion

MexMix supplementation is an attractive nutraceutical strategy for the treatment of diseases associated with excessive consumption of fat and sugar, such as MAFLD.

Funding

The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.