The increasing prevalence of cardiometabolic (CM) diseases, which include conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, raises significant public health concerns. These diseases are often associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, a process that can be influenced by various factors, most notably alterations in gut microbiota (GM) and compromised intestinal barrier integrity. The SINFONI project emerged to investigate a multifunctional (MF) nutritional strategy aimed at modulating inflammation and GM composition through the inclusion of diverse bioactive compounds in the diet.
Study Overview
In this randomized crossover-controlled study, 30 individuals identified as being at risk for cardiometabolic diseases participated in a dietary intervention over a period of 2 months. Participants consumed MF cereal products enriched with key bioactive components such as polyphenols, fibers, slowly digestible starch, and omega-3 fatty acids. In contrast, a control group consumed cereal products without any bioactive compounds.
Assessment Metrics
The research team carefully assessed several health indicators before and after the intervention. These included metabolic endotoxemia (specifically measuring levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein), systemic inflammation markers, and indicators related to cardiovascular risk. Additionally, researchers evaluated intestinal inflammation through levels of fecal calprotectin and the gut microbiota composition through comprehensive metabolomic analysis—providing a detailed picture of the interaction between diet, gut health, and systemic disease risk.
Key Findings
When comparing the MF intervention to control dietary approaches, several significant outcomes were observed:
- Reduction in intestinal inflammation was noted, evidenced by a significant decrease in fecal calprotectin (p = 0.007).
- Similarly, a reduction in metabolic endotoxemia was established as demonstrated by lower fasting LPS levels (p < 0.05).
- Importantly, systemic inflammation remained unchanged, suggesting targeted effects of the MF approach.
- Serum branched-chain amino acid levels decreased significantly in the MF group compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Furthermore, the MF intervention positively influenced the gut microbiota, increasing the populations of beneficial bacteria including Bacteroides ovatus, Bacteroides uniformis, Anaerostipes butyriciproducens, and unclassified Christensenellaceae.CAG-74 (p < 0.05).
- Notably, the markers indicative of malignant cardiometabolic risks showed no significant changes during the intervention period.
These findings suggest that a dietary approach rich in multimodal bioactive compounds can significantly improve aspects of gut health, thereby potentially lowering the risk for chronic inflammatory conditions.
Conclusions
The two-month dietary intervention focusing on multiple bioactive compounds showed a promising capacity to improve intestinal inflammation and foster a beneficial modulation of the gut microbiota. Given the increasing evidence linking gut health and overall chronic disease risk, this multifactorial dietary strategy appears to present a viable option for targeting low-grade inflammation and improving metabolic health in at-risk populations. Further research is encouraged to explore the longevity of these effects and the potential for broader application in dietary recommendations worldwide.
References
Hornero-Ramirez H, Morisette A, Marcotte B, Penhoat A, Lecomte B, Panthu B, Lessard Lord J, Thirion F, Van-Den-Berghe L, Blond E, Simon C, Caussy C, Feugier N, Doré J, Sanoner P, Meynier A, Desjardins Y, Pilon G, Marette A, Cani PD, Laville M, Vinoy S, Michalski MC, Nazare JA. Multifunctional dietary approach reduces intestinal inflammation in relation with changes in gut microbiota composition in subjects at cardiometabolic risk: the SINFONI project. Gut Microbes. 2025 Dec;17(1):2438823. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2438823 IF: 11.0 Q1 . Epub 2024 Dec 22. PMID: 39710576 IF: 11.0 Q1 .
