Antibiotic Treatment Reduces the Health Benefits of Soy Protein

Abstract

Scope Soy protein is a high‐quality protein and its consumption has been associated with a reduction of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and an improvement in insulin resistance. However, it is not known whether the effects of soy protein are mediated by the gut microbiota. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess whether using antibiotics to partially eradicate the gut microbiota can prevent the beneficial effects of soy protein in rats. Methods and results Thus, rats were fed one of the following diets for 16 weeks: casein control; soy protein control; high‐fat casein; high‐fat soy protein. Then rats were then treated for 4 weeks with antibiotics. Body weight and composition, energy expenditure, glucose tolerance test, metabolic endotoxemia and gut microbiota were measured before and after treatment with antibiotic. The results showed that soy protein consumption decreased weight gain, body fat, metabolic endotoxemia, and increased energy expenditure and glucose tolerance. Antibiotic treatment suppressed all these metabolic effects. These changes were accompanied by modifying the diversity and taxonomy of the gut microbiota. Conclusion In conclusion, the evidence suggests that the health benefits of soy protein are partly dependent of the gut microbiota. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved