A novel ketogenic diet that reduces seizures and prevents liver steatosis leads to related gut microbiome changes and restores cecal short-chain fatty acid levels in the rapid kindling rat model of epileptogenesis.

ABSTRACT: We recently introduced an innovative ketogenic diet (KD) demonstrating superior antiseizure efficacy in a rat kindling model of epileptogenesis without inducing hepatic steatosis compared to a classic KD. This new diet features reduced fat content, lower plasma ketosis levels, and incorporates new ingredients, including a novel fermentable fiber blend, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that partially replace omega-6 PUFAs, and medium-chain fatty acids that partially substitute for stearic acid. In the present study, we conducted gut microbiota analyses on cecum samples to elucidate its contribution to these effects. The analysis revealed distinctive features compared to the classic KD and control diet: higher weighted alpha diversity, distinct beta diversity, increased Bifidob

SUBMITTER: Meeusen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12899332 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature