Obesity influences the microbiotic biotransformation of chlorogenic acid

Obesity is a major public health problem. Gut microbiome dysbiosis has been associated with obesity, however, little is known on the effect of the dysbiosis on the microbiotic bio-transformation of xenobiotics. Fecal samples of lean (n = 9) and obese (n = 4) female volunteers were collected and characterized by 16 S rDNA gene sequencing. The microbiotic biotransformation of chlorogenic acid was studied using the collected fecal samples of lean and obese subjects in the colon stage of the gastro-intestinal dialysis model with colon stage (GIDM-Colon). The concentration of anaerobic bacteria was lower for all obese samples in comparison to the samples of the lean volunteers. Differences in gut microbiome composition and bacterial concentration were observed between the two populations. The obese gut microbiome presented a lower metabolic activity in comparison to the lean population. Chlorogenic acid was completely biotransformed after 24 h colonic dialysis in the lean population while it was still present in the obese population. Furthermore, 23 and 13 biotransformation products were identified in the lean and obese population, respectively; 11 unique biotransformation products from the caffeic, feruoylquinic and quinic acid pathways were identified in the lean population. The results confirm that changes in gut microbiota related to obesity are associated with differences in microbiotic biotransformation of xenobiotics and thus possibly influencing the activity, bioavailability and toxicity of orally administered xenobiotics and drugs.

Automated summary

Obesity is associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, which affects the microbiotic biotransformation of xenobiotics. Differences in gut microbiome composition, bacterial concentration, and metabolic activity were observed between lean and obese populations. The obese gut microbiome showed weaker biotransformation ability for chlorogenic acid, leading to its persistence in the body. The lean population produced a greater number of biotransformation products.