Effects of locust bean gum on cholesterol gallstones and the gut microbiota in lithogenic diet-fed C57BL/6J mice.

Summary

This study employed a lithogenic diet-fed C57BL/6J mouse model to investigate dose-dependent protective effects of locust bean gum (LBG) supplementation against cholesterol gallstone formation. The 2% LBG dose proved more efficacious than 5%, restoring the gut microbial network dominated by Bacillota, enriching genes related to quorum sensing and biofilm formation, reducing Desulfovibrio abundance and H2S synthesis, and promoting butyrate production. Mechanistically, 2% LBG downregulated cholesterol synthesis genes (HMGCR, ABCG5/G8) whilst upregulating bile acid conversion genes (CYP7A1, CYP8B1), resulting in altered bile acid profiles and reduced gallstone formation.

Regional applicability

This is an exploratory animal model study using mice, so direct applicability to United Kingdom human nutrition or clinical practice is limited. However, the findings on soluble fibre (LBG) and gut microbiota modulation mechanisms could inform future dietary intervention research in human populations at risk of cholesterol gallstone disease, aligning with UK interest in precision nutrition and food-as-medicine approaches.

Key measures

Gallstone formation incidence; gut microbiota composition and abundance (Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Desulfovibrio); functional genes (two-component systems, quorum sensing, biofilm formation); H2S synthesis genes; butyrate levels; HMGCR, ABCG5/G8, CYP7A1, CYP8B1 gene expression; bile acid profiles; cholesterol synthesis and secretion

Outcomes reported

The study measured the protective effects of dietary locust bean gum (LBG) supplementation at 2% and 5% doses on cholesterol gallstone formation in a lithogenic diet-fed mouse model, assessed via gut microbiota composition, functional gene expression, bile acid profiles, and cholesterol metabolism gene expression.

Topic tags