(P03-003-23) Influence of Dark Sweet Cherry (DSC) Supplementation on the Fecal Microbiota and Biomarkers of Intestinal Barrier Function in Obese Adults

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of daily DSC supplementation for 30 days in the fecal microbiota composition and intestinal barrier function (IBF) biomarkers in obese adults. 

Methods: Forty obese adults ( >18 years, body-mass index (BMI) = 30-40 kg/m², no history of chronic disease and/or antibiotics), were allocated to cherry or placebo groups following a single-blind randomized design after a 2-week run-in period. Participants were instructed to drink 200 mL of DSC drink supplemented with 3g of DSC powder (n = 19) or placebo drink (n = 21) twice a day for 30 days. DNA extracted from fecal samples collected on study day 1 (D1) and 30 (D30) was used to amplify a fragment of the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) for high throughput 16S sequencing using the MiSeq instrument (Illumina). IBF was evaluated by measuring lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) and intestinal permeability. LBP levels were quantified in fasting plasma samples collected on D1 and D30. Intestinal permeability was assessed by the lactulose/mannitol (L/M) test in urine samples collected on D1 and 30, and by quantifying fecal mRNA levels of regeneration islet-derived protein 4 (REG4) and interleukin-22.

Results: 16S rRNA sequencing analyses revealed that DSC supplementation increased the relative abundance of butyrate producing bacteria such as Roseburia intestinalis (p=0.01) at D30 vs D1, while no changes were detected in placebo. Interestingly, cherry participants with a high BMI (≥ 35-40) showed higher abundance of R. intestinalis compared to low BMI (30-34) subjects (p=0.007). At D30, DSC intervention also ameliorated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria including Alistipes spp (p=0.004) and Bilophila spp. (p=0.01) compared to placebo. Moreover, the relative abundance of probiotic Bifidobacterium spp. decreased significantly in placebo (p=0.007) over time, while no changes were detected in the cherry group. IBF, evaluated by LBP quantification, urinary excretion of L/M and fecal mRNA biomarkers, was not affected by DSC supplementation.

Conclusions: DSC supplementation might contribute to maintain and/or enhance the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and prevent increased inflammatory bacteria levels in obese adults. Overall, this study encourages further research into the prevention of obesity-associated dysbiosis using DSC.

Funding Sources: Northwest Cherry Growers