Enhancement of Gut Immune Functions by Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides and Reduction of Colon Cancer Risk

Abstract

Short-chain fructooligosaccharides occur in a number of edible plants, such as chicory, onions, asparagus, wheat... They are produced industrially from sucrose. They are a group of linear fructose oligomers with a degree of polymerisation ranging from 1 up to 5 (oligosaccharides). Short-chain fructooligosaccharides to a large extent escape digestion in the human upper intestine and reach the colon where they are totally fermented mostly to lactate, short chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), and gas. Butyrate is the most interesting of the short chain fatty acids (SCFA) since, it regulates cell growth and differentiation of colonocyte. In addition to this trophic effect, butyrate stimulates the immunogenicity of the cancerous cells. Short-chain fructooligosaccharides also stimulate bifidobacterial growth. The colonic microflora has a considerable influence on the immune system of the host. The intestinal mucosa, play an important role in the immune system too, it is the largest immunological organ of the body containing. The gutassociated lymphoid tissue (GALT) plays a key role according to its singular interface situation in the body and constitutes an important line of defence which is confronted with a large range of antigenic or immunomodulating substances. Recent founding in animal models clearly demonstrate that pre and probiotic may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing GALT responses directly or indirectly by the mediation of butyrate and lactic bacteria. GALT may play a pivotal role in the rejection of nascent colon tumours. Intestinal microflora modulates the GALT responses and recent founding in animal models clearly demonstrate that pre and probiotic may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing GALT responses directly or indirectly by the mediation of butyrate. The demonstration of the potential health benefits of sc-FOS on reduction risk of colon cancer is an active field of research in human nutrition. The sc-FOS, in animal models, reduce colon tumour development by enhancing both colon butyrate concentrations and local immune system effectors. The objective of this review is to discuss the critical role of GALT and its effectors, associated to butyrate, on colorectal cancer prevention. Both target functions have shown to be enhanced by sc-FOS.