The effects of early life exposure to dietary fat on intestinal ecology and function

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Our research program focuses on the effects of dietary fat on the intestinal ecology and function. Specifically, we are studying 1) the effect of early life exposure to dietary fat on the intestinal microbiota composition and epithelial cell function; 2) whether dietary fat modulated intestinal microbiota mediates the effects of dietary fat on intestinal immunity. We have recently shown that maternal exposure to diet rich in either n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) or n-6 PUFA altered the intestinal microbiota composition in rats. Such changes in intestinal microbiota are also associated with aberrant immune cell homeostasis. Consistent with this result, we also found that early life exposure to sunflower oil (rich in n-6 PUFA) induces significant changes in the intestinal microbiota in mice. In the proposed studies, we will extend this work. We will compare the effects of diets that contain high, medium and low ratios of n-6/n-3 PUFA. Our short-term goal is to define the effect of early life exposure to dietary fat (sunflower oil and fish oil) on intestinal ecology by in-depth analysis of the intestinal microbiota composition. Importantly, we will determine whether the intestinal microbiota plays a key role in dietary fat modulated mucosal immunity. Last but not least, we will examine the impact of early life exposure to dietary fat on the intestinal mucus layer integrity and antimicrobial responses. The proposed research will provide further insight into how dietary fat intake in early life shapes the intestinal microbiota and epithelial function and how they are associated with changes in intestinal immunity in later life.