The effects of dietary fat on gut microbial composition and function in a mouse model of ovarian cancer Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read MoreI am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women worldwide. Known for its "silent" progression, this disease often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making early diagnosis crucial for improving survival outcomes. With a variety of subtypes, ovarian cancer presents unique challenges in both treatment and prevention. Recent advancements in research are shining a light on the importance of the microbiome, particularly how microbial imbalances in the gut and vaginal microbiota can influence cancer progression. Repurposed drugs such as metformin and innovative interventions like probiotics, microbiota transplantation, and intratumoral microbiota therapies offer promising new avenues for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
-
Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary fat on gut microbial composition and function in a mouse model of ovarian cancer. Specifically, it explored the effects of ketogenic (KD) and high-fat/low-carbohydrate (HF/LC) diets on the gut microbiome and tumor progression in a syngeneic mouse model of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (EOC). The study also compared these high-fat diets to a low-fat/high-carbohydrate (LF/HC) diet. Tumor growth was monitored, and microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and shotgun metagenomics.
Who was studied?
The study involved 30 female C57BL/6 J mice, a widely used strain in cancer research. The mice were injected with KPCA EOC cells, a syngeneic ovarian cancer cell line that mimics high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and were subsequently randomized into three diet groups: ketogenic diet (KD), high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet (HF/LC), and low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet (LF/HC). The gut microbial composition and tumor progression were monitored over a period of 27 days. Fecal samples were collected for microbial analysis at the time of euthanasia.
Most important findings
The study found that both KD and HF/LC diets significantly accelerated tumor growth compared to the LF/HC diet. Mice on the KD and HF/LC diets showed marked reductions in gut microbial diversity, while those on the LF/HC diet exhibited higher microbial diversity. The taxonomic analysis revealed distinct microbial alterations among diet groups. Notably, HF/LC-fed mice had an increased abundance of Bacteroides thetaiotamicron, Enterococcus faecalis, and Lachnospiraceae bacterium, while LF/HC-fed mice had an overrepresentation of Dubosiella newyorkensis. KD-fed mice showed a higher abundance of Akkermansia species. Functional pathway analysis indicated that polyamine biosynthesis and fatty acid oxidation pathways were enriched in the HF/LC group, suggesting a link between these metabolic pathways and accelerated tumor growth.
| Diet Group | Key Microbial Taxa | Functional Pathways |
|---|---|---|
| High-fat/low-carbohydrate | Bacteroides thetaiotamicron, Enterococcus faecalis, Lachnospiraceae bacterium | Polyamine biosynthesis, fatty acid oxidation |
| Ketogenic Diet | Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides | Fucose degradation, fatty acid metabolism |
| Low-fat/high-carbohydrate | Dubosiella newyorkensis, Lactobacillus johnsonii | L-ornithine biosynthesis, D-gluconate degradation |
Key implications
The results highlight the complex relationship between dietary fat, the gut microbiome, and ovarian cancer progression. The study shows that high-fat diets, particularly ketogenic and HF/LC diets, not only accelerate tumor growth but also disrupt microbial diversity in the gut. The findings underscore the importance of considering both the quantity and quality of dietary fat when evaluating its effects on cancer biology. Additionally, the alterations in gut microbial composition linked to these diets suggest that dietary interventions could potentially be used as part of cancer prevention or therapeutic strategies. However, further research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms through which the microbiome influences cancer progression and how dietary modifications can be used to modulate these effects.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal cancers affecting women worldwide. Known for its "silent" progression, this disease often goes undetected until it reaches advanced stages, making early diagnosis crucial for improving survival outcomes. With a variety of subtypes, ovarian cancer presents unique challenges in both treatment and prevention. Recent advancements in research are shining a light on the importance of the microbiome, particularly how microbial imbalances in the gut and vaginal microbiota can influence cancer progression. Repurposed drugs such as metformin and innovative interventions like probiotics, microbiota transplantation, and intratumoral microbiota therapies offer promising new avenues for improving ovarian cancer treatment.