Effects of a short-term omega-3 intervention on the gut microbiota in a M-SHIME in vitro model. Homo sapiens

The effects of a short-term omega-3 fish-oil intervention were explored on the composition and functionality of the gut microbial community derived from one individual tested in duplicate at different seasons (summer and winter, n=4), in the Mucosal Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SHIME) in vitro model. The microbial communities of the fecal donor, reproducing the luminal and mucosal niches of the ileum, ascending, transverse and descending colons were evaluated over the course of 28 days of fermentation. A stabilization period of 14 days was applied in the M-SHIME, followed by a control period of 7 days and an omega-3 fish oil treatment period of 7 days. The treatment consisted in the addition of 900 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 900 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) esterified in triacylglycerols per day in the M-SHIME. Both periods, control and treatment, were supplemented with an emulsifier containing 0.38%(w/v) lecithin to help solubilizing the oil.