Microbiota contribute to the regulation of intestinal glutathione and taurine levels in response to caloric restriction

In the current project, we investigate whether microbiota, which plays role in deconjugation of BA, are involved in the observed response to CR. CR-triggered changes in gut microbiota composition oppose the changes reported after taurine supplementation. To challenge the role of microbiota, we applied two models: CR with antibiotics to deplete gut microbiota and microbiota transplant. Removal of microbiota diminished or removed CR-specific upregulation of GST expression and activity as well as activity of GSH reductase (GR) and Nrf2 in the intestinal mucosa. Antibiotics treatment prevented CR-related increase in the levels of free taurine and taurine conjugates in the mucosa of jejunum and ileum. Contrary, microbiota depletion did not affect changes in expression of BA- and cysteine-related genes in the liver. Transplant of fecal microbiota from CR mice to ad libitum fed mice triggered CR-like changes in MGST1 expression as well as levels of taurine and taurine conjugates upregulation in the mucosa of ileum. We show for the first time, that microbiota contributes to the intestinal response to CR-triggered changes in BA, taurine and GSH levels.