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Crt-miR166a, a Citrus-Derived MicroRNA, Modulates the Gut Microbiota-Metabolites under High-Fat Diet

Minmin Zhan1, Chenxi Zhao1, Bin Chen2

  • 1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|June 10, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Citrus microRNA crt-miR166a improves gut health by balancing beneficial bacteria and metabolites in mice fed a high-fat diet. This plant-derived microRNA (miRNA) alleviates diet-induced gut dysbiosis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Metabolomics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • High-fat diets (HFD) disrupt gut microbiota and metabolite balance.
  • Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) role in modulating gut microbiota metabolites is unclear.
  • Gut microbiota metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and indoles are crucial for host health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of citrus-derived crt-miR166a on HFD-induced gut microbiota-metabolite dysbiosis.
  • To determine if crt-miR166a can restore metabolic balance in the gut.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD).
  • crt-miR166a was administered to HFD-fed mice.
  • Gut microbiota composition and key metabolites (SCFAs, bile acids, indole derivatives) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • crt-miR166a increased beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides, Acetatifactor).
  • crt-miR166a elevated beneficial short-chain fatty acids (acetic, butyric, valeric acids).
  • crt-miR166a modulated bile acid profiles and increased tryptophan-derived indole derivatives.

Conclusions:

  • Citrus microRNA crt-miR166a effectively alleviates HFD-induced gut microbiota-metabolite dysbiosis.
  • crt-miR166a demonstrates potential as a dietary modulator for improving metabolic health.
  • Plant-derived miRNAs offer novel therapeutic avenues for diet-related gut disorders.
Keywords:
bile acidsgut microbiotahigh-fat dietindole derivativesmiRNAsshort-chain fatty acids

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