A potential probiotic- Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group: Evidence from the restoration of the dietary pattern from a high-fat diet

Abstract Background: High-fat diet (HFD) that contributes to obesity is one of the pivotal risk factors for metabolic syndrome and cancers. The dietary pattern can shape the intestinal bacterial community and influence the physiological parameters. This study aimed to investigate whether the short-term dietary pattern shift from HFD to a balanced chow diet (CD) could correct HFD-induced colonic dysbiosis and reverse adverse health effects and identify the specific bacteria that changed by dietary patterns. Results: C57BL/6 mice fed with an HFD for 10 months, followed by a CD for 3 months, served as the dietary shift model. Stool samples were collected for bacterial analysis. Physiological parameters, such as serum adipokines, blood lipid levels, and hepatic function, were monitored in control and dietary shift groups. HFD-induced weight gain was mitigated by the dietary shift. A highly similar structure at the phylum, genus, and species levels was observed in the beta diversity of colonic bacteria in mice that underwent the dietary shift as compared to those in the control group. Notably, the abundance of Peptococcaceae and Akkermansiaceae in HFD-fed mice reduced after the dietary shift; whereas the diminished amount of probiotic Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group in HFD-fed mice was restored to the level comparable to those in controls after the dietary shift. Conclusions: Our finding suggests that a dietary switch from a long-term HFD to a short-term balanced diet has the potential to correct colonic dysbiosis and restore physiological homeostasis. The Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group has the potential to be a probiotic.