Inclusion of Soluble Fiber in the Gestation Diet Changes the Gut Microbiota, Affects Plasma Propionate and Odd-Chain Fatty Acids Levels, and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Sows.

Chuanhui Xu,Chuanshang Cheng,Xiu Zhang,Jian Peng

doi:10.3390/ijms21020635

Chuanhui Xu, Chuanshang Cheng + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21020635

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Abstract

The transition from pregnancy to lactation is characterized by a progressive decrease in insulin sensitivity. Propionate increases with dietary fiber consumption and has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. Recent studies suggest that plasma odd-chain fatty acids [OCFAs; pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0)] that inversely correlated with insulin resistance are synthesized endogenously from gut-derived propionate. The present study investigated the effects of soluble fiber during gestation on gut microbiota, plasma non-esterified fatty acids and insulin sensitivity in sows. Sows were allocated to either control or 2.0% guar gum plus pregelatinized waxy maize starch (SF) dietary treatment during gestation. The SF addition changes the structure and composition of gut microbiota in sows. Genus Eubacterium increased by SF addition may promote intestinal propionate production. Moreover, the dietary SF increased circulating levels of plasma OCFAs, especially C17:0. The SF-fed sows had a higher insulin sensitivity and a lower systemic inflammation level during perinatal period. Furthermore, the plasma C15:0 and C17:0 was negatively correlated with the area under curve of plasma glucose after meal and plasma interleukin-6. In conclusion, dietary SF improves insulin sensitivity and alleviates systemic inflammation in perinatal sows, potentially related to its stimulating effect on propionate and OCFAs production.

Highlights

During normal pregnancy and lactation, the female body undergoes substantial hormonal, immunological, and metabolic changes to support the growth and development of offspring [1,2]
In contrast to the even-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA), the odd-chain fatty acids (OCFAs) pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) account for only a small proportion of long-chain fatty acids in human plasma, but their presence is associated with a lower incidence of ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes [19,20] It is assumed that OCFAs are not synthesized endogenously by mammals and reflect dietary habits
Our results showed that inclusion of SF in the gestation diet increased the levels of the fasting plasma C15:0, C17:0, and OCFAs concentrations

Summary

Introduction

During normal pregnancy and lactation, the female body undergoes substantial hormonal, immunological, and metabolic changes to support the growth and development of offspring [1,2]. Our previous studies showed that sows provided with high-fiber diet during gestation significantly increased their voluntary feed intake during lactation [7,8,9], probably as a result of insulin sensitivity improvement. As the major energy source for gut microbiota, dietary fiber is believed to have significant effects on the composition and diversity of microbiota [15,16]. Bacterial fermentation of these compounds results in the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which could decrease fatty acid flux and improve insulin sensitivity in humans [17]. On the basis of these results, we hypothesized that OCFAs de novo synthesis occurs in sows

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