Prebiotic effect on mood in obese patients is determined by the initial gut microbiota composition: A randomized, controlled trial.

Audrey M Neyrinck, Nathalie M Delzenne, Olivier Luminet, Olivier Klein, Jean-Paul Thissen, Miriam Cnop, Nicolas Paquot, Jérome Bindelle, Pierre Trefois, Nicolas Lanthier, Patrice D Cani, Quentin Leyrolle, Julie Rodriguez, Sophie Leclercq, Laure B Bindels, Camille Amadieu, Daphné Portheault, Marco A Gianfrancesco, Sophie Hiel, Giorgia Zamariola, Maria D G H Mulders, Renata Cserjesi

Journal: Brain, behavior, and immunity 2021;94():289-298

PMID: 33515740

Free Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Metabolic and behavioural diseases, which are often related to obesity, have been associated to alterations of the gut microbiota considered as an interesting therapeutic target. We have analyzed in a cohort of obese patients treated with prebiotic inulin versus placebo the potential link between gut microbiota changes occurring upon intervention and their effect on psychological parameters (mood and cognition).

METHODS

A randomized, single-blinded, multicentric, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 106 obese patients assigned to two groups: prebiotic versus placebo, who received respectively 16 g/d of native inulin or maltodextrin combined with dietary advice to consume inulin-rich or -poor vegetables for 3 months as well as to restrict caloric intake. Anthropometric measurements, food intake, psychological questionnaires, serum measures, and fecal microbiome sequencing were performed before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Inulin supplementation in obese subjects had moderate beneficial effect on emotional competence and cognitive flexibility. However, an exploratory analysis revealed that some patients exhibiting specific microbial signature -elevated Coprococcus levels at baseline- were more prone to benefit from prebiotic supplementation in terms of mood. Positive responders toward inulin intervention in term of mood also displayed worse metabolic and inflammatory profiles at baseline (increased levels of IL-8, insulin resistance and adiposity).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that inulin intake can be helpful to improve mood in obese subjects exhibiting a specific microbial profile. The present work highlights some microbial, metabolic and inflammatory features (IL-8, insulin resistance) which can predict or mediate the beneficial effects of inulin on behaviour in obesity. Food4gut, clinicaltrial.gov: NCT03852069, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03852069.

Address: Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.; Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.; Research Institute for Psychological Sciences, UCLouvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium.; Laboratory of Immunometabolism and Nutrition, GIGA-Inflammation, Infection & Immunity, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.; ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, and Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.; Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium; Institute of Neuroscience, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.; Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium; WELBIO-Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.; Laboratory of Hepatogastroenterology, Institut de recherche expérimentale et Clinique, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium; Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.; Medical Imaging Department, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.; Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, Gembloux, Belgium.; Pole of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique IREC, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium.; Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.01.014