Loading...
A randomised trial of the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements on the human intestinal microbiota
Watson, H. Mitra, S. Croden, F.C. Taylor, M. Wood, H.M. Perry, S.L. Spencer, Jade A. Quirke, P. Toogood, G.J. Lawton, C.L.
Watson, H.
Mitra, S.
Croden, F.C.
Taylor, M.
Wood, H.M.
Perry, S.L.
Spencer, Jade A.
Quirke, P.
Toogood, G.J.
Lawton, C.L.
Publication Date
2017
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Rights
© 2017 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & British Society of Gastroenterology. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
23/08/2017
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Collections
Additional title
Abstract
Abstract
Objective Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anticolorectal cancer (CRC) activity. The intestinal microbiota has been implicated in colorectal carcinogenesis. Dietary omega-3 PUFAs alter the mouse intestinal microbiome compatible with antineoplastic activity. Therefore, we investigated the effect of omega-3 PUFA supplements on the faecal microbiome in middle-aged, healthy volunteers (n=22).
Design A randomised, open-label, cross-over trial of 8 weeks’ treatment with 4 g mixed eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid in two formulations (soft-gel capsules and Smartfish drinks), separated by a 12-week ‘washout’ period. Faecal samples were collected at five time-points for microbiome analysis by 16S ribosomal RNA PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid analysis was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
Results Both omega-3 PUFA formulations induced similar changes in RBC fatty acid content, except that drinks were associated with a larger, and more prolonged, decrease in omega-6 PUFA arachidonic acid than the capsule intervention (p=0.02). There were no significant changes in α or β diversity, or phyla composition, associated with omega-3 PUFA supplementation. However, a reversible increased abundance of several genera, including Bifidobacterium, Roseburia and Lactobacillus was observed with one or both omega-3 PUFA interventions. Microbiome changes did not correlate with RBC omega-3 PUFA incorporation or development of omega-3 PUFA-induced diarrhoea. There were no treatment order effects.
Conclusion Omega-3 PUFA supplementation induces a reversible increase in several short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, independently of the method of administration. There is no simple relationship between the intestinal microbiome and systemic omega-3 PUFA exposure.
Version
Accepted manuscript
Citation
Watson H, Mitra S, Croden FC, et al (2017) A randomised trial of the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplements on the human intestinal microbiota. Gut. 67(11): 1974-1983.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Article