LAUSR

BACKGROUND Cordyceps militaris is an edible and medicinal fungus, and its polysaccharides are one of the main pharmacological components, which could exert immunomodulation, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-hypolipidemic, and other functions. But the anti-obesity effect of C. militaris polysaccharides (CMP) is not yet fully understood. RESULTS In this study, CMP diet intervention was applied to the HFD-induced obese mice in a four-weeks period, followed by profiling of the obesity-induced dyslipidemia, low-grade inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. And the results suggested that CMP could significantly reduce HFD-induced obesity, alleviated obesity-induced hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance, as well as ameliorate systemic inflammation, showing a promising ability in protecting mice from obesity. Further analyses revealed that CMP could regulate obesity-induced gut dysbiosis by restoring the phylogenetic diversity of gut microbiota. Besides, it can also increase the relative abundances of SCFAs-producing bacteria, while down-regulate the level of bacteria that were positively related to the development of obesity. A correlation analysis showed that Helicobacter, Allobaculum, Clostridium XVIII, Parabacteroides, Ligilactobacillus, Faecalibaculum, Adlercreutzia, and Mediterraneibacter are positively related with the obese phenotypes. CONCLUSION This study highlights the potential of CMP as a prebiotic agent to protect obese individuals from metabolic disorders and gut dysbiosis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.