Dietary Prebiotics Modulate Omeprazole-Induced Alterations in the Gut Microbial Signature

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used to treat heartburn and acid-related disorders. However, their misuse and prolonged use contribute to gut dysbiosis. This study investigated whether well-known prebiotic dietary sources, blueberries or strawberries, can reverse PPI (omeprazole) induced dysbiosis and gut inflammation by modulating gut microbes. Male C57BL/6J mice (7 weeks old) were fed a diet with or without omeprazole (40 mg/kg diet), blueberry (3.7% in the diet; ∼1.5 human servings) or strawberry (2.35% in the diet; ∼2 human servings) for 12 weeks. Metabolic parameters, gut microbes (in the cecum and colon), and inflammatory markers were assessed. In this study, no changes were observed in metabolic parameters in mice fed a diet supplemented with omeprazole or berries. Second, blueberry or strawberry supplementation at nutritional dosages improved alterations in gut microbial ecology induced by omeprazole, with effects varying between the cecum and colon. Third, strawberry supplementation reduced omeprazole-induced gut inflammation. Fourth, selected genera were either positively or negatively associated with markers of gut inflammation, suggesting that dietary berries can ameliorate inflammatory signaling through modifications in the gut microbiome. Dietary berries represent a potential nutritional strategy for improving PPI-induced gut dysbiosis and inflammation.