# Modulating iron metabolism and gut microbiota: the therapeutic potential of Chia Seed Oil in obesity-related diabetes

**Authors:** Wencong Li, Li Zhang, Xiangxiang Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1676971 · Frontiers in Microbiology · 2026-01-28

## TL;DR

Chia Seed Oil may help treat obesity-related diabetes by balancing iron levels and improving gut health.

## Contribution

This study reveals the novel therapeutic potential of Chia Seed Oil in modulating iron metabolism and gut microbiota for diabetes management.

## Key findings

- CSO regulates iron metabolism by altering serum ferritin, hepcidin, and transferrin saturation.
- CSO promotes gut microbiota diversity in a high-fat diet-induced obesity model.
- CSO shows potential as a treatment for obesity-related metabolic disorders.

## Abstract

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.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** omega-3 fatty acids (PubChem CID 56842239)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** Trf (transferrin) [NCBI Gene 22041] {aka Cd176, HP, Tf, Tfn, hpx}, Hamp (hepcidin antimicrobial peptide) [NCBI Gene 84506] {aka Hamp1, Hepc, Hepc1}
- **Diseases:** Obesity (MESH:D009765), diabetes (MESH:D003920), metabolic disorders (MESH:D008659)
- **Chemicals:** iron (MESH:D007501), fat (MESH:D005223), omega-3 fatty acids (MESH:D015525), CSO (-)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090]

## Full text

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## Figures

10 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12893720/full.md

## References

45 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12893720/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12893720