September 23, 2016
Bulletin interne de l'Institut Pasteur
Too much fat rapidly disrupts the balance of the gut microbiota
A destabilizing factor such as a change in diet can disrupt the entire gut microbiota, with possible health consequences. An international study led by the Molecular Microbial Pathogenesis Unit (Institut Pasteur/Inserm), directed by Philippe Sansonetti, has recently demonstrated in mice that a high-fat diet has a direct influence on the gut microbiota and its environment. Bacterial communities react to this new diet with a massive reorganization, and the small intestine itself undergoes changes in its defense capacity - from the very first month. These results were published in the journal PNAS on September 16.