Crosstalk Between Polygonatum kingianum, the miRNA, and Gut Microbiota in the Regulation of Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> <i>Polygonatum kingianum</i> is a medicinal herb used in various traditional Chinese medicine formulations. The polysaccharide fraction of <i>P. kingianum</i> can reduce insulin resistance and restore the gut microbiota in a rat model of aberrant lipid metabolism by down regulating miR-122. The aim of this study was to further elucidate the effect of <i>P. kingianum</i> on lipid metabolism, and the roles of specific miRNAs and the gut microbiota. <b>Key findings:</b> <i>P. kingianum</i> administration significantly altered the abundance of 29 gut microbes and 27 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Several aberrantly expressed miRNAs closely related to lipid metabolism were identified, of which some were associated with specific gut microbiota. MiR-484 in particular was identified as the core factor involved in the therapeutic effects of <i>P. kingianum</i>. We hypothesize that the miR-484-<i>Bacteroides/Roseburia</i> axis acts as an important bridge hub that connects the entire miRNA-gut microbiota network. In addition, we observed that <i>Parabacteroides</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> correlated significantly with several miRNAs, including miR-484, miR-122-5p, miR-184 and miR-378b. <b>Summary:</b> <i>P. kingianum</i> alleviates lipid metabolism disorder by targeting the network of key miRNAs and the gut microbiota.