Effect of gut microbiota and metabolites in normal rats treated with large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) roe phospholipids

Phospholipids derived from marine source has been widely demonstrated with hypolipidemic effect by estab-lishing sub-healthy animal models. However, the health benefits of large yellow croaker roe phospholipids (LYCRPLs) on normal diet (ND) rats remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effect exhibited by ND rats' gut microbiota and metabolism response to LYCRPLs. Three group rats were fed diets supplemented with ND and LYCRPLs for 8 weeks, respectively. The rats' food intake, body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue and organ weight were initially analyzed, then explored the effect of LYCRPLs in gut microbiota and metabolism. The results revealed that LYCRPLs can positively regulated the gut microbiota by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group etc., and decreased harmful bacteria (Proteobacteria). Moreover, the intervention of LYCRPLs also significantly down -regulated the Citrate cycle (TCA cycle), Fat digestion and absorption, Carbohydrate digestion and absorption, Pro-tein digestion and absorption pathways of normal rats, which indicates that LYCRPLs possess potential ability to regulate glycolipid metabolism. These findings reveal that LYCRPLs can be used as a gut microbiota manipulator to regulate the glycolipid metabolism for health promotion, which offers new prospects for LYCRPLs as a functional ingredient for the food industry.