A high fiber diet or supplementation with Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris to pregnant mice confers protection against intestinal injury in adult offspring

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maria E. Barbian, Emory University; Joshua A. Owens, Lipscomb University; Crystal R. Naudin, Emory University; Patricia Denning, Emory University; Ravi M. Patel, Emory University; Rheinallt M Jones, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2024
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.1080%2F19490976.2024.2337317
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Gut Microbes
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 2337317
• Grant/Funding Information: The work was supported by the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta [Junior Faculty Focused Award]; Emory University [Junior Faculty Focused Award]; Emory University [K12HD072245]; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [K12HD072245].
• Keywords: antenatal diet; DSS; probiotics; Butyrate; diet; pregnancy; colitis
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Health Sciences, Nutrition

Abstract

The diet during pregnancy, or antenatal diet, influences the offspring’s intestinal health. We previously showed that antenatal butyrate supplementation reduces injury in adult murine offspring with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Potential modulators of butyrate levels in the intestine include a high fiber diet or dietary supplementation with probiotics. To test this, we supplemented the diet of pregnant mice with high fiber, or with the probiotic bacteria Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris or Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. We then induced chronic colitis with DSS in their adult offspring. We demonstrate that a high fiber antenatal diet, or supplementation with Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris during pregnancy diminished the injury from DSS-induced colitis in offspring. These data are evidence that antenatal dietary interventions impact offspring gut health and define the antenatal diet as a therapeutic modality to enhance offspring intestinal health.