Evaluation of fecal bile acid profile as markers of the intestinal microbiota of C57/Bl6 mice supplemented with D-limonene

• Grant number: 21/02809-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Jarlei Fiamoncini
• Grantee: Guilherme Noronha Hernandez
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07914-8 - FoRC - Food Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The incidence of chronic diseases associated with dyslipidemia and insulin resistance is a serious public health problem. In animal models, it has been shown that D-limonene, a monoterpene abundant in citrus fruits contributes to reduce the circulating concentrations of lipids and glucose. The mechanism by which monoterpenoids modulates intermediate metabolism has not yet been fully elucidated, but their antimicrobial effects are well known. It is believed that there is a very close relationship between the metabolism of the intestinal microbiota and the incidence of chronic diseases. Among several functions, the intestinal microbiota is crucial for the metabolism of bile acids (BA), a group of endogenous molecules involved in the regulation of the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The hypothesis of this study is that due to its antimicrobial potential, D-limonene can modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota, with a direct impact on BA metabolism. In this study, we propose to study the effects of D-limonene on the fecal BA profile of C57/B16 mice fed diets supplemented with D-limonene. Male mice will be distributed in 8 groups, with 4 groups receiving a low-fat diet, while the other groups will feed on a high-fat diet. After a week of adaptation, D-limonene will be added to the diets in the concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.4 and 0.8% (w:w). Stool samples will be collected weekly for 6 weeks to analyze the profile of BA and short-chain fatty acids. This study is part of the project "Evaluation of the effects of D-limonene on the composition of the intestinal microbiota and bile acid metabolism", which is funded by FAPESP (AR).