Effects of dietary soybean phosphatidylethanolamine on intestinal metabolism and microbiota in mice fed low-fat and high-fat diets.

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is the second most abundant phospholipid in soybeans, which are widely used in the food industry as emulsifiers, thickeners, preservatives, and other additives. High-fat diets are known to disrupt intestinal metabolism and cause microbial disorders, leading to metabolic and intestinal health issues. To elucidate the effects of PE on these high-fat diet-induced disorders, we innovatively explored the interaction between regional intestinal bile acids and microbiota, revealing that PE supplementation can mitigate high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders. PE downregulated the level of small intestinal aromatic amino acids in mice fed a low-fat diet. Additionally, PE influenced bile acid metabolism by modulating the intestinal flora, thereby promoting secondary bile acid production in the small intestine. PE altered the flora structure in mice fed an HFD by increasing the abundance of genera associated with energy metabolism and intestinal immunity, such as Akkermansia, which was elevated by 6.45 times. The study demonstrates the positive effects of PE on intestinal metabolism and microbiota in mice fed an HFD, indicating its potential to regulate intestinal metabolism and enhance gut microbiota composition.