The influences of low protein diet on the intestinal microbiota of mice

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 13;10(1):17077. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74122-9.

Abstract

Recent research suggests that protein deficiency symptoms are influenced by the intestinal microbiota. We investigated the influence of low protein diet on composition of the intestinal microbiota through animal experiments. Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice were fed one of four diets (3, 6, 9, or 12% protein) for 4 weeks (n = 5 per diet). Mice fed the 3% protein diet showed protein deficiency symptoms such as weight loss and low level of blood urea nitrogen concentration in their serum. The intestinal microbiota of mice in the 3% and 12% protein diet groups at day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed differences in the microbiota. In the 3% protein diet group, a greater abundance of urease producing bacterial species was detected across the duration of the study. In the 12% diet protein group, increases of abundance of Streptococcaceae and Clostridiales families was detected. These results suggest that protein deficiency may be associated with shifts in intestinal microbiota.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Clostridiales / genetics
  • Clostridiales / isolation & purification
  • Diet, Protein-Restricted* / adverse effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Nutritional Status
  • Protein Deficiency / etiology
  • Protein Deficiency / microbiology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
  • Streptococcaceae / genetics
  • Streptococcaceae / isolation & purification
  • Urease / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Urease