Gut Microbiota Interacts with Markers of Adipose Tissue Browning, Insulin Action and Plasma Acetate in Morbid Obesity

• Published in: Molecular nutrition & food research Vol. 62; no. 3
• Main Authors: Moreno‐Navarrete, José María, Serino, Matteo, Blasco‐Baque, Vincent, Azalbert, Vincent, Barton, Richard H., Cardellini, Marina, Latorre, Jèssica, Ortega, Francisco, Sabater‐Masdeu, Mònica, Burcelin, Rémy, Dumas, Marc‐Emmanuel, Ricart, Wifredo, Federici, Massimo, Fernández‐Real, José Manuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2018; Wiley-VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Acetates - blood; Acetic acid; Adipocytes; Adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - physiology; Adipose Tissue - physiopathology; Adipose Tissue, White - metabolism; Adipose Tissue, White - physiopathology; Adult; Bacteria; Biomarkers; Body mass; Browning; DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; Female; Firmicutes; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Gene expression; Glucose; Glucose Transporter Type 4 - genetics; Human health and pathology; Humans; Hépatology and Gastroenterology; Insulin; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins - genetics; Insulin Resistance; insulin sensitivity; Intestinal microflora; Iodide Peroxidase - genetics; Iodothyronine Deiodinase Type II; Life Sciences; Male; Markers; metabolome; Microbiota; Middle Aged; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Obesity; Obesity, Morbid - microbiology; Obesity, Morbid - physiopathology; Proteobacteria; Regression analysis; Relative abundance; Sensitivity; Transcription Factors - genetics; Triglycerides; Uncoupling Protein 1 - genetics; microbiota; adipose tissue; insulin sensitivity; metabolome; obesity; Metabolome; Obesity; Microbiota; Adipose tissue; Insulin sensitivity
• DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201700721
• ISSN: 1613-4125

Scope To examine the potential relationship among gene expression markers of adipose tissue browning, gut microbiota, and insulin sensitivity in humans. Methods and results Gut microbiota composition and gene markers of browning are analyzed in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral (VAT) adipose tissue from morbidly obese subjects (n = 34). Plasma acetate is measured through 1H NMR and insulin sensitivity using euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. Subjects with insulin resistance show an increase in the relative abundance (RA) of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria while RA of Firmicutes is decreased. In all subjects, Firmicutes RA is negatively correlated with HbA1c and fasting triglycerides, whereas Proteobacteria RA was negatively correlated with insulin sensitivity. Firmicutes RA is positively associated with markers of brown adipocytes (PRDM16, UCP1, and DIO2) in SAT, but not in VAT. Multivariate regression analysis indicates that Firmicutes RA contributes significantly to SAT PRDM16, UCP1, and DIO2 mRNA variance after controlling for age, BMI, HbA1c, or insulin sensitivity. Interestingly, Firmicutes RA, specifically those bacteria belonging to the Ruminococcaceae family, is positively associated with plasma acetate levels, which are also linked to SAT PRDM16 mRNA and insulin sensitivity. Conclusion Gut microbiota composition is linked to adipose tissue browning and insulin action in morbidly obese subjects, possibly through circulating acetate. This figure indicates the association among Ruminococcaceae family, plasma acetate levels, SAT expression of browning‐related genes and insulin sensitivity, suggesting that increased Ruminococcaceae‐enhanced acetate biosynthesis might promote SAT browning and systemic insulin sensitivity in morbidily obese subjects.