Effect of digested chia seed protein on the gut microbiota and colon morphology of mice fed a high-saturated-fat diet

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of digested total protein (DTP) from chia seed on the gut microbiota and morphology of mice fed with a high-fat diet. Forty-four male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 4 groups: AIN (standard diet), HF (high-fat diet), AIN + DTP (standard diet supplemented with 400 mg of digested chia seed protein), and HF + DTP (high-fat diet supplemented with 400 mg of digested chia seed protein) during 8 weeks. Colon morphology, tight junction's gene expression, and gut microbiota composition were evaluated. The consumption of digested chia seed protein (DTP) increased the crypts width, longitudinal and circular muscular layer. Furthermore, the AIN + DTP group enhanced the expression of tight junction proteins, including occludin and claudin, while the AIN + DTP and HF + DTP groups increase the zonula occludens expression. The α-diversity analysis showed a reduction in bacterial dominance in the HF + DTP group. All the experimental groups were grouped in different cluster, showing differences in the microbiota community in the β-diversity analyzes. The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio did not differ among the groups. The genera Olsenella and Dubosiella were increased in the AIN + DTP group, but the Oscillospiraceae_unclassified was increased in the HF + DTP group. The Alistipes was increased, while the Roseburia and Akkermansia were decreased in the AIN + DTP and HF + DTP groups. Then, the consumption of DTP from chia seed improved the gut microbiota composition and mucosal integrity, counteracting the adverse effects of high-fat diet.