Restricted intake of sulfur-containing amino acids reversed the hepatic injury induced by excessDesulfovibriothrough gut-liver axis

Abstract

AbstractGut-liver axis has been a study focus for liver diseases. Diet is a key player in influencing the gut microbiota. However, the effect of different dietary patterns on gut microbiota and liver functions remains unclear. Here, we used mouse standard chow and purified diet to mimic two common human dietary patterns: healthy grain and planted-based diet and Western style diet, respectively and explored their impacts on the gut microbiota and liver. Gut microbiota experienced a great shift with notable increase inDesulfovibrio, gut bile acid (BA) concentration elevated significantly, and liver inflammation was observed in mice fed with the purified diet. Liver inflammation due to translocation of toxic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hydrophobic BAs from the damaged gut barrier was also observed in mice fed with the chow diet after receivingDesulfovibrio desulfuricansATCC 29577 (DSV). Restricted intake of sulfur-containing amino acids reversed the liver injury due to excessDesulfovibriothrough lowering the gut BA concentration and enhancing the hepatic antioxidant and detoxifying ability.Ex vivofermentation of human fecal microbiota with primary BAs also demonstrated that DSV enhanced production of secondary BAs. Germ-free mice had higher concentration of both conjugated and unconjugated primary BAs in their gut after receiving DSV.