Multifunctional dietary approach reduces intestinal inflammation in relation with changes in gut microbiota composition in subjects at cardiometabolic risk: the SINFONI project

Gut Microbes. 2025 Dec;17(1):2438823. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2438823. Epub 2024 Dec 22.

Abstract

The development of cardiometabolic (CM) diseases is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, partly linked to alterations of the gut microbiota (GM) and reduced intestinal integrity. The SINFONI project investigates a multifunctional (MF) nutritional strategy's impact combining different bioactive compounds on inflammation, GM modulation and CM profile. In this randomized crossover-controlled study, 30 subjects at CM-risk consumed MF cereal-products, enriched with polyphenols, fibers, slowly-digestible starch, omega-3 fatty acids or Control cereal-products (without bioactive compounds) for 2 months. Metabolic endotoxemia (lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein over soluble cluster of differentiation-14 (LBP/sCD14), systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk markers, intestinal inflammation, CM profile and response to a one-week fructose supplementation, were assessed at fasting and post mixed-meal. GM composition and metabolomic analysis were conducted. Mixed linear models were employed, integrating time (pre/post), treatment (MF/control), and sequence/period. Compared to control, MF intervention reduced intestinal inflammation (fecal calprotectin, p = 0.007) and endotoxemia (fasting LPS, p < 0.05), without alteration of systemic inflammation. MF decreased serum branched-chain amino acids compared to control (p < 0.05) and increased B.ovatus, B.uniformis, A.butyriciproducens and unclassified Christensenellaceae.CAG-74 (p < 0.05). CM markers were unchanged. A 2-month dietary intervention combining multiple bioactive compounds improved intestinal inflammation and induced GM modulation. Such strategy appears as an effective strategy to target low-grade inflammation through multi-target approach.

Keywords: Polyphenols; branched chain amino-acids; cardiometabolic risk; endotoxemia; intestinal inflammation; omega 3.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Cross-Over Studies*
  • Diet
  • Dietary Fiber / administration & dosage
  • Edible Grain
  • Endotoxemia / diet therapy
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage
  • Feces / chemistry
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation*
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Intestines / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyphenols / administration & dosage
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology

Substances

  • Polyphenols
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Dietary Fiber