Soluble fibers and resistant starch ameliorate disease activity in an experimental model of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the efficacy of dietary fibers in preventing gut inflammation in interleukin‐10‐deficient (IL‐10−/−) mice. C57BL/6J wild type mice (n=90) and IL‐10−/− mice (n=185) were randomly assigned to either a control or isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets supplemented with PROMITOR™ soluble corn fiber (SCF), STA‐LITE III® polydextrose (PDX), biogum (BG), pullulan, PROMITOR™ resistant starch‐75 (RS‐75), SGF&BG, RS‐75&BG and inulin (4 g fiber/100 g diet). On day 47 spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were macroscopically and histologically evaluated. The spleen and Peyer's patches (PP) were collected in sterile conditions for isolating mononuclear cells, measuring the percentages of regulatory T cells (Treg) and cytokines produced by CD4+ T cells (i.e., IL‐12, IFN‐γ; and IL‐10). Dietary supplementation with RS‐75, SCF, RS‐75&BG and inulin had a preventive effect in spontaneous colitis and ileitis and ameliorated disease activity, but only RS‐75 reduced inflammatory lesions in the MLN, ileum and colon. RS‐75, SCF and inulin significantly decreased IFN‐γ; production by effector CD4+ T cells from PP and RS‐75 increased the Treg compartment in spleen and PP. These data suggest certain soluble fibers and resistant starch may influence Treg and cytokine production to minimize gut inflammation. Supported by Tate & Lyle Health & Nutrition Sciences