Consumption of a low-fiber, high-fat, Western-style diet (WSD) induces adiposity and adipose inflammation characterized by increases in the M1:M2 macrophage ratio and proinflammatory cytokine expression, both of which contribute to WSD-induced metabolic syndrome. WSD-induced adipose inflammation might result from endoplasmic reticulum stress in lipid-overloaded adipocytes and/or dissemination of gut bacterial products, resulting in activation of innate immune signaling. Hence, we aimed to investigate the role of the gut microbiota, and its detection by innate immune signaling pathways, in WSD-induced adipose inflammation.
