Effect of a Chinese medical nutrition therapy diet on gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids in the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME)

Numerous microbiotas, which play important roles in health, inhabit the human gut. A traditional Chinese medicine dietary therapy (TCMDT) diet, consisted of whole grains and traditional Chinese medicines, is traditionally used to lessen hyperglycemia and reduce obesity. The Simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME) was used for studying the effect of the TCMDT diet on gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids. The TCMDT diet increased diabetes-improving microbiota (Coriobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae) by 7–26 times and health-related microbiota (Rikenellaceae, Bifidobacteria, Actinobacteria) by 4–300 times. The short chain fatty acids-producers, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides were elevated after intervention. This diet significantly increased acetate (from 2.23 to 36.77 mmol/L), propionate (from 2.85 to 33.93 mmol/L), and butyrate (from 0.89 to 6.96 mmol/L), which are the major short chain fatty acids. Our study provides novel perspective into the role of gut microbiota modulation during TCMDT diet intervention.