ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Microbiol.
Sec. Microorganisms in Vertebrate Digestive Systems
Modulating Iron Metabolism and Gut Microbiota: The Therapeutic Potential of Chia Seed Oil in Obesity-Related Diabetes
Provisionally accepted
- Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, China
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Obesity-related diabetes is a significant global health concern, underscored by perturbations in iron metabolism and gut microbiota composition. This study investigates the mechanistic role of Chia Seed Oil (CSO), rich in omega-3 fatty acids, in suppressing iron metabolism pathologies and promoting gut microbiota alterations to mitigate obesity-related diabetes. Using a high-fat diet-induced obesity model in male C57BL/6J mice, we aimed to explore the effects of CSO supplementation on metabolic outcomes, iron status, and gut microbiota diversity. Our findings suggest that CSO effectively regulates iron metabolism, evidenced by altered serum ferritin levels, hepcidin, and transferrin saturation, while promoting a diverse gut microbiota profile. The study elucidates the potential of CSO as a therapeutic agent in managing obesity-associated metabolic disorders by restoring iron homeostasis and fostering gut health. These results highlight the interconnectedness of dietary fat, iron metabolism, and microbiome dynamics in the pathophysiology of obesity-related diabetes, suggesting a multifaceted approach to treatment strategies.
Keywords: Obesity-Related Diabetes, iron metabolism, Gut Microbiota, Chia seed oil, Microbiology
Received: 19 Aug 2025; Accepted: 04 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Li, Zhang and Wang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Xiangxiang Wang, xiangxiangwang123@163.com
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