Ketogenic diet alleviates colitis by reduction of colonic group 3 innate lymphoid cells through altering gut microbiome

Accumulating evidence suggests that ketogenic diets (KDs) mediate the rise of circulating ketone bodies and exert a potential anti-inflammatory effect; however, the consequences of this unique diet on colitis remain unknown. We performed a series of systematic studies using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) animal model of inflammatory colitis. Animals were fed with a KD, low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), or normal diet (ND). Germ-free mice were utilized in validation experiments. Colon tissues were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing, RT2 profiler PCR array, histopathology, and immunofluorescence. Serum samples were analyzed by metabolic assay kit. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We observed that KD alleviated colitis by altering the gut microbiota and metabolites in a manner distinct from LCD. Quantitative diet experiments confirmed the unique impact of KD relative to LCD with a reproducible increase in Akkermansia, whereas the opposite was observed for Escherichia/Shigella. After colitis induction, the KD protected intestinal barrier function, and reduced the production of ROR gamma t(+)CD3(-) group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) and related inflammatory cytokines (IL-17 alpha, IL-18, IL-22, Ccl4). Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation into germ-free mice revealed that the KD- mediated colitis inhibition and ILC3 regulation were dependent on the modification of gut microbiota. Taken together, our study presents a global view of microbiome-metabolomics changes that occur during KD colitis treatment, and identifies the regulation of gut microbiome and ILC3s as novel targets involving in IBD dietary therapy.

Automated summary

The study suggests that ketogenic diets alleviate colitis by modifying gut microbiota and metabolites in a unique way compared to low-carbohydrate diets. Ketogenic diets protect intestinal barrier function and reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, offering a potential therapeutic approach for inflammatory bowel disease.