Cited by 371Gut microbiota and healthAnimal Nutrition and PhysiologyAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

The Gut Microbiota Modulates Energy Metabolism in the Hibernating Brown Bear Ursus arctos

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Sommer, Felix, Ståhlman, Marcus, Ilkayeva, Olga, Arnemo, Jon M., Kindberg, Jonas, Josefsson, Johan, Newgard, Christopher B., Fröbert, Ole +1 more·2016·Cell Reports

Abstract

Hibernation is an adaptation that helps many animals to conserve energy during food shortage in winter. Brown bears double their fat depots during summer and use these stored lipids during hibernation. Although bears seasonally become obese, they remain metabolically healthy. We analyzed the microbiota of free-ranging brown bears during their active phase and hibernation. Compared to the active phase, hibernation microbiota had reduced diversity, reduced levels of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, and increased levels of Bacteroidetes. Several metabolites involved in lipid metabolism, including triglycerides, cholesterol, and bile acids, were also affected by hibernation. Transplantation of the bear microbiota from summer and winter to germ-free mice transferred some of the seasonal metabolic features and demonstrated that the summer microbiota promoted adiposity without impairing glucose tolerance, suggesting that seasonal variation in the microbiota may contribute to host energy metabolism in the hibernating brown bear.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.01.026

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  • Certain recurrent mammalian physiological states, such as non-hibernating bears and advanced pregnancy, produce a markedly altered microbiota with increased capacity to harvest dietary energy without metabolic derangement.

    “Certain recurrent physiological states in mammals, such as the non-hibernating period in bears41 and advanced pregnancy42, result in a markedly altered microbiota with an increased capacity to harvest energy from the diet without metabolic derangement.”

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Authors
Sommer, F., Ståhlman, M., Ilkayeva, O., Arnemo, J. M., Kindberg, J., Josefsson, J., Newgard, C. B., Fröbert, O., & Bäckhed, F.
Affiliations
  • Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
  • University of Gothenburg (SE)
  • Duke University (US)
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
  • Örebro University (SE)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
Bäckhed, Fredrik
Venue
Cell Reports
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-02
Volume
14
Issue
7
Pages
1655-1661
ISSN
2211-1247 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2259865578
Cited by
370
References
40
Citations by year
2026: 25 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 45 · 2023: 38 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 25 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 21
FWCI
18.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • NORA - Norwegian Open Research Archives (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • European Research Council (615362)
  • Världsnaturfonden WWF
  • Vetenskapsrådet
  • Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning
  • Norges Forskningsråd
  • Lundbeckfonden (R126-2012-12408)
  • Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset
  • IngaBritt och Arne Lundbergs Forskningsstiftelse
  • Miljødirektoratet
  • Svenska Jägareförbundet
  • Novo Nordisk Fonden
  • Naturvårdsverket
  • Västra Götalandsregionen
  • Torsten Söderbergs Stiftelse
  • Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords
gut microbiota, hibernation, brown bear, energy metabolism, seasonal variation, adiposity, lipid metabolism, bile acids, triglycerides, cholesterol, microbiota transplantation, germ-free mice, glucose tolerance, microbial diversity, Firmicutes, actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes
MeSH terms
Bacillota, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Ursidae, Bile Acids and Salts, Blood Glucose, Carnitine, Cholesterol, Energy Metabolism, Feces, Germ-Free Life, Hibernation, Seasons, Triglycerides, Principal Component Analysis, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Adiposity, Mice

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