Diverse Effects of Different Akkermansia muciniphila Genotypes on Brown Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Whitening in a High-fat-diet Murine Model

Background: The study aimed to investigate the differences of different Akkermansia muciniphila (A.muciniphila) genotypes on metabolic protective effects in mice with high-fat diet and explore possible mechanisms. Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including high-fat diet (HFD)+ A.muciniphila I/II/PBS group, normal chow diet (NCD)+A.muciniphila I/ II /PBS group, respectively. Dietary intervention and A.muciniphila gavage were performed simultaneously. Blood glucose and lipid metabolism, brown adipose morphology and activities, and intestinal barrier function were examined after the mice were sacrificed. Results A.muciniphila gavage improved the impaired glucose tolerance, hyperlipidemia and liver steatosis in HFD mice, and that A.muciniphila II was not as effective as A.muciniphila I. This phenomenon might be because A.muciniphila I intervention significantly inhibited brown adipose tissue whitening and inflammation induced by HFD, by repairing the intestinal barrier and relieving endotoxemia. A.muciniphila II did not display the same results as A.muciniphila I in HFD mice, but had stronger effects in the NCD mice. Conclusions This study mainly reveals the distinct functions of different A.muciniphila genotypes on diet-induced obesity, suggesting that different A.muciniphila genotypes may play inequitable roles in pathological conditions through distinct action pathways.