Metagenomics analysis of gut microbiota modulatory effect of green tea polyphenols by high fat diet-induced obesity mice model

Abstract This study focused on the modulatory effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on human intestinal microbiota, and its underlying anti-obesity mechanisms. GTP was prepared from Chinese green tea by column chromatography, and then the influence of GTP on intestinal microbiome was analyzed with a human flora-associated (HFA) high fat diet-induced obesity mice model by metagenomics. GTP ameliorated the obesity-induced gut dysbiosis; in addition, a significant decrease was observed in Firmicutes / Bacteroidetes after GTP treatment. Moreover, KEGG pathways of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, two-component system and biosynthesis of amino acids enriched the most differentially expressed genes after GTP intervention for 8 weeks. Our results may have important implications for the use of GTP as a functional food component with potential therapeutic utility against high fat diet induced obesity, and prebiotic-like activity by modulating intestinal microbiota and affecting certain metabolic pathways, contributing to the improvement of host health.