Defatted rice bran (
DRB) is a by-product of rice bran derived after the oil extraction.
DRB contains several bioactive compounds, including
dietary fiber and
phytochemicals. The supplementation with
DRB manifests chemopreventive effects in terms of anti-chronic
inflammation, anti-cell proliferation, and anti-
tumorigenesis in the
azoxymethane (AOM) and
dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced
colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) model in rats. However, little is known about its effect on gut microbiota. Herein, we investigated the effect of
DRB on gut microbiota and
short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, colonic goblet cell loss, and mucus layer thickness in the AOM/DSS-induced
colitis-associated CRC rat model. The results suggested that
DRB enhanced the production of beneficial bacteria (Alloprevotella, Prevotellaceae UCG-001, Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Butyricicoccus) and lessened the production of harmful bacteria (Turicibacter, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Escherichia-Shigella, Citrobacter) present in colonic feces, mucosa, and
tumors. In addition,
DRB also assisted the cecal SCFAs (
acetate,
propionate,
butyrate) production. Furthermore,
DRB restored goblet cell loss and improved the thickness of the mucus layer in colonic tissue. These findings suggested that
DRB could be used as a
prebiotic supplement to modulate gut microbiota
dysbiosis, which decreases the risks of CRC, therefore encouraging further research on the utilization of
DRB in various nutritional health products to promote the health-beneficial bacteria in the colon.