Long-term regulatory effects of high-fiber low-fat diet on gut microbiota diversity and inflammatory marker expression in DSS-induced recurrent colitis in mice

Objectives To evaluate the long-term regulatory effects of high-fiber low-fat (HFLF) diet on gut microbiota diversity and inflammation/barrier-related markers in DSS-induced recurrent colitis mice. Methods A recurrent DSS model was established through multiple cycles of DSS administration. Mice were randomly assigned to HFLF diet vs. control/standard chow ± positive control groups. Multi-timepoint sampling was conducted throughout the study. 16S rRNA sequencing, SCFA quantification, and qPCR/ELISA/immunohistochemistry/Western blot analyses were performed. Results HFLF diet significantly improved clinical phenotype, increased gut microbiota diversity, promoted beneficial bacterial genera, enhanced SCFA production, and modulated inflammation/barrier indicators throughout the recurrence-remission cycles. Conclusions HFLF diet provides sustained protection during recurrence-remission processes through microbiota-SCFA-inflammation axis modulation, offering potential translational applications for IBD management.