Bamboo-shaving polysaccharide protects against high-diet induced obesity and modulates the gut microbiota of mice

Increasing evidence has shown that gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating pathogenesis of low-grade inflammation and obesity. Bamboo-shaving polysaccharide (BSP, purity: 80-85%, Mw = 10,000 g/mol) is well known for its immunomodulatory capacity. However, no study has previously investigated the anti-obesity activity of BSP. After high fat diet-fed mice were treated with BSP for 8 weeks, we showed that BSP not only improved community richness and diversity of gut microbiota, but also regulated the composition of gut microbiota. Specifically, mice treated with BSP showed lower ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, lower relative abundance of harmful bacteria (Enterobacter and Desulfovibrio) and higher relative abundance of beneficial bacteria (Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus). Moreover, BSP meliorated intestinal barrier integrity, reduced low-grade inflammation, improved lipid metabolism and ameliorated insulin resistance in obese mice. Our results indicated that BSP could be exploited as prebiotic to protect against obesity and insulin resistance in obese individuals.