Cyanidin-3-glucoside-4-vinylphenol Mitigates Cadmium-Induced Hepatic and Colonic Injury via the Modulation of Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Mice

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a pervasive environmental contaminant that damages tissues and disrupts gut microbiota. This study evaluated cyanidin-3-glucoside-4-vinylphenol (C3G_VP), a novel class of anthocyanin derivative synthesized via Lactiplantibacillus plantarum fermentation, and its chemical structure was identified by NMR spectroscopy. In Cd-exposed mice, C3G_VP significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia by reducing hepatic TC (−85.5%), TG (−80.6%), and LDL-C (−35.8%) levels while increasing HDL-C (+50.7%) levels and decreasing hepatic lipid droplet accumulation. Mechanistically, C3G_VP administration may activate the FXR–FGF axis and regulate hepatic FXR and Cyp7a1 protein expression, leading to reduced hepatic bile acid (BA) accumulation and enhanced fecal BA excretion. Furthermore, C3G_VP administration inhibited proinflammatory cytokine mRNA expression (hepatic TNF and IL6, and colonic TNF and IL1β). Importantly, C3G_VP administration increased beneficial bacteria (Adlercreutzia, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium), which were positively associated with short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Overall, C3G_VP shows potential as a stable anthocyanin pigment against Cd-induced lipid metabolic disorders.