Consumption of a high energy density diet triggers microbiota dysbiosis, hepatic lipidosis, and microglia activation in the nucleus of the solitary tract in rats

Abstract
Introduction: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease. Consumption of high energy density (HED) diets is associated with hyperphagia, increased body weight and body fat accumulation, and obesity. Our lab has previously shown that short-term (4 weeks) consumption of a HED diet triggers gut microbiota dysbiosis, gut inflammation, and reorganization of the gut-brain vagal communication.