Pectin-derived oligogalacturonic acids ameliorate high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice by regulating gut microbiota and inflammation

Pectic oligosaccharides have been proposed as a novel prebiotic to prevent obesity and associated with metabolic disorders by regulating gut microbiota, but their various probiotic functions in the gut depended on their complex and heterogeneous sugar composition. This study aimed to obtain specific oligogalacturonic acids (POAS) from pectin and investigate the effects of POAS on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. The results showed that POAS improved body weight gain, serum lipids and hepatic steatosis in obese mice. POAS notably enhanced intestinal barrier function, reduced inflammatory response and regulated the expression of key genes in lipid synthesis and metabolism. Besides, POAS also promoted short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production. Furthermore, POAS alleviated the gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by HFD with significantly increasing beneficial gut microbiota such as Akkermansia and Lactobacillus. Spearman's correlation analysis indicated that these bacteria were strongly correlated with obesity-related parameters. We conclude that POAS is a potential prebiotic to treat obesity and related complications.