Short-Term Western Diet Intake Promotes IL-23‒Mediated Skin and Joint Inflammation Accompanied by Changes to the Gut Microbiota in Mice.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a Western Diet (high-sugar, moderate-fat) predisposes mice to skin and joint inflammation, particularly in the context of psoriasiform dermatitis and psoriatic arthritis.
Results Summary
The study found that a Western Diet intake for 10 weeks increased susceptibility to skin and joint inflammation, linked to IL-17A‒producing γδ T cell expansion and gut dysbiosis. Switching to a standard diet partially reversed inflammation and microbiota changes.
Population
Mice (animal model)
Effective Dosage
Not specified (diet composition described as high-sugar, moderate-fat)
Duration
10 weeks
Interactions
Broad-spectrum antibiotics suppressed inflammation in WD-fed mice.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
exposure to a high-sugar and moderate-fat diet (i.e., Western diet [WD]) | increase | appreciable skin inflammation | mice | - | induces | #1 |
exposure to a high-sugar and moderate-fat diet (i.e., Western diet [WD]) | increase | the susceptibility to imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis | mice | - | enhances | #2 |
intake of WD for 10 weeks | increase | skin inflammation | mice | - | predisposed | #3 |
intake of WD for 10 weeks | increase | joint inflammation | mice | - | predisposed | #4 |
WD | increase | IL-17A‒producing γδ T cells | mice | - | were associated with an expansion of | #5 |
WD | increase | T helper type 17 cytokines | mice | - | were associated with increased expression of | #6 |
IL-23 minicircle delivery | decrease | reduced microbial diversity | WD-fed mice | - | had | #7 |
IL-23 minicircle delivery | increase | pronounced dysbiosis | WD-fed mice | - | had | #8 |
Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics | decrease | IL-23‒mediated skin inflammation | WD-fed mice | - | suppressed | #9 |
Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics | decrease | IL-23‒mediated joint inflammation | WD-fed mice | - | suppressed | #10 |
switched from a WD to a standard diet after IL-23 minicircle delivery | decrease | skin inflammation | mice | - | reduced | #11 |
switched from a WD to a standard diet after IL-23 minicircle delivery | decrease | joint inflammation | mice | - | reduced | #12 |
switched from a WD to a standard diet after IL-23 minicircle delivery | increase | the gut microbiota | mice | - | partial reversion of | #13 |
a short-term WD intake | increase | psoriasis-like skin inflammation | - | - | is accompanied by enhanced | #14 |
a short-term WD intake | increase | psoriasis-like joint inflammation | - | - | is accompanied by enhanced | #15 |
We previously showed that exposure to a high-sugar and moderate-fat diet (i.e., Western diet [WD]) in mice induces appreciable skin inflammation and enhances the susceptibility to imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis, suggesting that dietary components may render the skin susceptible to psoriatic inflammation. In this study, utilizing an IL-23 minicircle-based model with features of both psoriasiform dermatitis and psoriatic arthritis, we showed that intake of WD for 10 weeks predisposed mice not only to skin but also to joint inflammation. Both WD-induced skin and joint injuries were associated with an expansion of IL-17A‒producing γδ T cells and increased expression of T helper type 17 cytokines. After IL-23 minicircle delivery, WD-fed mice had reduced microbial diversity and pronounced dysbiosis. Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics suppressed IL-23‒mediated skin and joint inflammation in the WD-fed mice. Strikingly, reduced skin and joint inflammation with a partial reversion of the gut microbiota were noted when mice switched from a WD to a standard diet after IL-23 minicircle delivery. These findings reveal that a short-term WD intake‒induced dysbiosis is accompanied by enhanced psoriasis-like skin and joint inflammation. Modifications toward a healthier dietary pattern should be considered in patients with psoriatic skin and/or joint disease.