Food-based formula modulates gut microbial homeostasis and inflammatory responses following LPS challenge in mice

Oral nutritional supplements (ONSs) are widely used to support patients with malnutrition or chronic diseases. However, their potential effects on inflammatory recovery and gut microbial composition remain insufficiently understood. This study evaluated a novel whole-food-based formula (FBF) composed of natural food-derived ingredients and investigated its effects on inflammation recovery and gut microbiota in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced low-grade inflammation.

21 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a healthy control (HC) group, a milk-based formula (MBF) group, or a food-based formula (FBF) group. Mild systemic inflammation was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (3 mg/kg). After LPS administration, mice received dietary intervention for 10 days. Serum inflammatory cytokines, colonic histopathology, and gut microbiota profiles were evaluated by ELISA, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively.

Serum IL-6 concentrations were elevated in the MBF group compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed between the FBF group and healthy controls. Histological evaluation showed a tendency toward reduced mucosal disruption and inflammatory cell infiltration in FBF-treated mice, although the differences in histological scores were not statistically significant. FBF was also associated with increased microbial richness and diversity, as indicated by higher ACE, Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices. Principal coordinate analysis and non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed a microbial community structure closer to that of healthy controls in the FBF group. Taxonomic analysis revealed that FBF reduced the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae and maintained Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group abundance.

A whole-food-based nutritional formula was associated with lower serum IL-6 levels and distinct gut microbial compositional profiles compared with a milk-based formula following LPS-induced inflammation. These findings suggest FBF may influence inflammatory recovery and gut microbial composition; however, further functional and mechanistic studies are required to clarify its biological effects.