MexMix supplementation prevented MAFLD development by restoring microbiota-gut-liver axis in a mice model.

Introduction and Objectives

The microbial communities’ control is crucial to maintaining homeostasis of gut-liver axis; clinical evidence demonstrates disruptions of microbiota-gut-liver in individuals with Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Foods rich in fiber and polyphenols have been associated with an improvement in microbiota diversity, indexand miRNAs expression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation with a mixture of Mexican foods (MexMix): Opuntia ficus indica (nopal), Theobroma cacao (cocoa) and Acheta domesticus (crickets) on gut-liver axis in a MAFLD mice model.

Materials and Patients

Thirty C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: 1) control: normal diet. 2) HF: high fat diet (60%) and fructose/sucrose water 3) MexMix: HF diet up to week 10, followed by HF diet supplemented with 6.7% nopal, 8.7% cocoa, and 8.7% cricket for 8 weeks.

Results

The MexMix animals showed a significantly decreased in body weight, visceral and epididymal fat, adipocyte size, triglycerides, insulin, leptin, and PAI-1; while adiponectin levels increased. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, MexMix increased phylogenetic diversity, Firmicutes abundance, and enrichment of 10 beneficial genera, including Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Akkermansia, and Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group. In the gut, MexMix supplementation significantly increased SCFAs concentration, intestinal crypts depth, Ocln and Cldn1 expression, and decreased Il6 and Tnf-a expression. In liver, MexMix significantly reduced steatosis and Tnfa expression. Besides, MexMix increased nuclear translocation of NFR2 and, in consequence, a higher hepatic expression of Cat and Sod. MexMix also decreased hepatic expression of miRNA-34a, miRNA-103, and miRNA-33a.

Conclusions

Synchronous supplementation with three nutraceuticals, nopal, cacao, and cricket, produced better results compared to previous studies where foods were administered individually. MexMix demonstrated its efficacy as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial genera and improving intestinal health. These findings indicate that MexMix has the potential to serve as a therapeutic approach for treating MAFLD in patients, as well as other conditions associated with excessive consumption of fats and sugars.