The dietary supplementation of Sargassum fusiforme can effectively alleviate high-fat diet induced metabolic abnormalities

Abstract

Sargassum fusiforme, a brown seaweed widely consumed as a culinary delicacy and medicinal herb in East Asian countries, contains multiple bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-obesity properties. This suggests that its dietary consumption could help mitigate metabolic diseases induced by high-fat diet (HFD). To test this hypothesis, we initially analyzed the nutritional components of the macroalga, and evaluated its acute oral toxicity and long-term safety. Subsequently, we explored the impacts of its dietary intake on HFD-fed mice. Additionally, 16S rRNA sequencing was employed to further elucidate the mechanism underlying the protective effects of this macroalga against HFD-induced metabolic abnormalities. Our results revealled that S. fusiforme has a desirable nutrient profile, characterized by rich carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and carotenoids, and is also highly safe for consumption. Its dietary intake remarkably alleviated HFD-induced metabolic disorders. Analysis of gut microbiota showed that HFD consumption increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidetes. This trend was further exacerbated by S. fusiforme supplementation, resulting in a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared to both the control and HFD groups. At the genus level, Muribaculum, Lactobacillus, Clostridia_UCG_014, Clostridium_sp, Acetatifactor, Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes, and IS_44 (from family Nitrosomonadaceae) were significantly enriched in the mice supplemented with S. fusiforme. These findings support the potential use of S. fusiforme as a functional food to counteract HFD-induced metabolic dysbiosis.