Effects Of Dietary Fructooligosaccharide Research Articles

The effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide on growth, intestinal short chain fatty acids level and hepatopancreatic condition of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) post-larvae

Prebiotics are one of the feed additives being studied to potentially enhance the growth of aquatic animals. The effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide (FOS) additives at 0.1%, 0.4%, 1% and 2% on the growth performance, superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation, intestinal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and hepatopancreatic histopathology of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae (initial weight±SE of 22.8±0.2mg) were evaluated after 56days of feeding. Each aquarium contained 80 post-larvae and each treatment was quadruplicated which yielded 320 prawns/treatment. The results showed that the specific growth rate for length and weight of the prawns was highest in the 0.4% dietary FOS treatment compared to all others. Prawns fed the 0.4% FOS diet had significantly higher (P<0.05) intestinal acetic acid than the control or 0.1% FOS treatments as well as significantly higher propionic acid than all other treatments. The amount of butyric acid was similar among all the dietary FOS treatments (P>0.05). Increasing dietary FOS significantly increased lipid peroxidation and decreased SOD inhibition rate (%), indicating oxidative stress to the prawns. On day 28, prawns fed 0.1 or 0.4% FOS had significantly more E-cells within their hepatopancreatic tubules compared to other treatments while after 56days, the hepatopancreatic tubules of prawns in the 0.4% FOS treatment were more closely arranged with significantly more R- and E-cells. In some instances, prawns fed the 1 or 2% FOS diets had hypertrophied B-cells. The results demonstrate that the optimal tested FOS level to M. rosenbergii post-larvae was 0.4%, and higher levels of 1 or 2% dietary FOS induced oxidative stress and reduced their hepatopancreatic condition. Statement of relevanceDietary FOS at 0.4% significantly improved growth of M. rosenbergii.

Fructo-oligosaccharide improved brain β-amyloid, β-secretase, cognitive function, and plasma antioxidant levels in D-galactose-treated Balb/cJ mice

Objectives: Long-term d-galactose injection induces accelerated aging in experimental rodent models. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharide (FO) on the brain β-amyloid (Aβ), amyloid-associated enzymes, cognitive function, and plasma antioxidant levels in d-galactose-treated Balb/c mice.Methods: The subcutaneous (s.c.) injection and the dietary treatment were conducted simultaneously for 49 days. Mice (12 weeks of age) were divided into five groups (n = 14/group): control (s.c. saline, control diet) serving as a young control, DG (s.c. 1.2 g d-galactose/kg body weight, control diet), DG + LFO (2.5% w/w FO, low-dose FO diet), DG + HFO (5% w/w FO, high-dose FO diet), and DG + E (α-tocopherol 0.2% w/w, vitamin E diet) as an antioxidant reference group. Another group of older mice (64 weeks of age) without any injection served as a natural aging (NA) group.Results: The DG and NA groups had greater Aβ levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and the whole brain. High-dose FO, similar to α-tocopherol, attenuated the d-galactose-induced Aβ density in the cortex and hippocampus. In addition, FO attenuated the d-galactose-induced protein expression of Aβ and beta-site amyloid precursor cleaving enzyme of the whole brain in a dose–response manner. Either dose of FO supplementation, similar to α-tocopherol, attenuated the d-galactose-induced cognitive dysfunction. In addition, FO improved the plasma ascorbic acid level in a dose–response manner.Conclusion: Dietary FO (2.5–5% w/w diet) could attenuate the development of Alzheimer's disease, which was likely to be associated with its systematic antioxidant effects.

235: Effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharides on gender-based differences in gut mucosal cytokines

Gut microbiota-mediated effects on the immune system can influence cytokine production in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). The extent to which gender-associated differences in gut microbiota composition influence mucosal cytokine patterns is as yet undetermined, as is the impact such differences may have on the ability of fermentable material to modulate immune activity through effects on the gut microbiota. To explore these questions, we analyzed the effects of a fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS)-supplemented Purina chow diet on mucosal cytokine profiles, focusing on IL-6 (pro-inflammatory), IL-4 (TH 2 ) and IL-10 (regulatory T reg ). To compare gender-associated effects of FOS at the gut microbial and intestinal epithelial level, we measured fecal short chain fatty acid profiles (by gas chromatography) and mucin gene MUC2 expression (determined by quantitative real-time PCR). No major FOS-induced changes in cytokine profiles (vs. control) were observed in the ileum of male or female rats, although gender-specific differences in cytokine levels were observed. Cecal IL-6 (7732.49 ± 863 pg/g) was higher in FOS-fed male rats compared to FOS-fed female rats (5057.9 ± 536.5 pg/g). Cecal IL-10 was significantly lower in male rats fed the control diet (5301.2 ± 241.6 pg/g) relative to female rats fed the same diet (8164 ± 843.6 pg/g). However, cecal IL-10 was elevated in FOS-fed male rats (6484.3 ± 1269.7 pg/g) to levels similar to those of FOS-fed female rats (6662.4 ± 335.6 pg/g), indicating a potential differential effect of dietary FOS on this regulatory cytokine in males and females. Fecal butyric acid concentrations in FOS-fed male rats (35.1 ± 7.1 mmol/g) were significantly higher than those in FOS-fed female rats (13.6 ± 2.6 mmol/g), suggesting a gender-associated difference in the effects of FOS at the gut microbial level. Preliminary results indicate higher cecal MUC2 expression in male rats relative to female rats. These findings illustrate that fermentation-associated luminal changes may affect GALT immune activity in a gender-specific fashion.

Gastrointestinal tract metabolism of young turkeys fed diets supplemented with pure nystose or a fructooligosaccharide mixture

In a four-week experiment on 60 7-day-old BUT-9 male turkeys the effects of dietary fructooligosaccharides (pure nystose and a fructooligosaccharide mixture) supplemented at 1 and 2%, were studied on ileal and caecal metabolism. The control carbohydrate was cellulose, added also at 1 or 2%. Each dietary treatment consists of 10 birds kept individually. The average degree of polymerisation of the nystose and oligofructose preparation amounted to 2.9 and 4.1, respectively. The addition of nystose significantly decreased the pH value and viscosity in the ileal contents compared with the cellulose treatment. On the other hand, the oligofructose preparation increased the activity of sucrase and lactase in the ileal mucosal by 30–60% and 33–47%, respectively. Both fructan preparations similarly acidified the caecal and colonic digesta (by 0.2–0.4 pH units) as well as diminished the activity of bacterial harmful β-glucuronidase (by 24–40%), but only nystose caused an enlargement of the caeca and effectively reduced caecal ammonia concentration, especially at a higher dose. Oligofructose supplementation at 2% caused a 3.5-fold increase of bacterial activity of α- and β-galactosidase, while 2% nystose resulted in 1.7 and 3 times higher α- and β-glucosidases activities, respectively. Compared to oligofructose, dietary nystose increased propionic and decreased butyric fermentation in caeca. Nystose and oligofructose preparations added at 2% reduced the triacylglycerol concentration in the serum in comparison to the addition of 2% cellulose by 46 and 25%, respectively. Beside the fact that dietary levels of supplementation were of great importance, the results indicated that even small difference in the length of carbohydrate chain may cause different physiological responses.

Minor effect of the dietary combination of probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici with fructooligosaccharides or polysaccharidases on beneficial changes in the cecum of rats

Abstract Effects of dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS, 2% and 5%) and 2 polysaccharidases (glucanase and xylanase) with or without a probiotic preparation ( Pediococcus acidilactici ) on cecal fermentation of Wistar rats were studied. Cecal weight, pH of digesta, ammonia and protein concentrations, as well as bacterial enzymes activity and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were assessed. Generally, the probiotic supplementation did not affect the cecal metabolism. Only SCFA profile showed a higher proportion of propionic acid in the probiotic-treated groups. A significant interaction was also found between probiotic and diet additives in the case of activities of β -glucuronidase ( P = .00005) and α -glucosidase ( P = .031). The cecal parameters of rats fed with the diet supplemented with polysaccharidases did not differ substantially from the control group; the only differences concerned a higher protein concentration as well as higher activities of β -glucosidase and β -galactosidase in the digesta. The cecum was affected, to the greatest extent, by FOS, regardless whether they were combined with probiotic or not. Rats treated with fructans (both levels) were characterized by the lowest pH value and ammonia concentration. Fructooligosaccharides applied at a higher dose enlarged the cecum (tissue and digesta) and decreased bacterial β -glucuronidase activity, compared with the control ( P = .05). The fermentation of the FOS-5% diet in the cecum was associated with the highest production of total and individual SCFAs. In conclusion, contrary to expectations, the effect of the polysaccharidases and the prebiotic FOS in the cecum of rats was not enhanced by the dietary treatments combined with the probiotic.

Effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharide on villous height and disaccharidase activity of the small intestine, pH, VFA and ammonia concentrations in the large intestine of weaned pigs

An experiment was conducted to investigate changes in the lumen and wall of the intestinal tract of weaned pigs caused by fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and consequences for growth. Twelve male pigs weaned at 24 days were individually housed and fed either control, 0.25% FOS, or 3% FOS diets for 21 days after weaning. The pH of chyme in the caecum and proximal colon were lower (p<0.001) in 3% FOS compared to other treatments. Mean molar proportions (%) of total SCFA values along the large intestine were significantly affected by FOS diet. Acetic acid was significantly higher in control compared with other treatments. Butyric acid and isobutyric acid were significantly increased in 0.25 and 3% FOS compared to the control. Feed intake, empty body weight gain, disaccharidase activities and villous height in the small intestine were not significantly affected by FOS. It was concluded that dietary FOS stimulates fermentation in the large intestine, but does not significantly affect enzyme activity, ammonia content, villous height and growth.

Effects of dietary fructooligosaccharide on digestive enzyme activities, intestinal microflora and morphology of male broilers

Two hundred forty male Avian Farms broiler chicks, 1 d of age, were randomly allocated to four treatments, each of which had five pens of 12 chicks per pen. The chicks were used to investigate the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on digestive enzyme activities and intestinal microflora and morphology. The chicks received the same basal diet based on corn-soybean meal, and FOS was added to the basal diet at 0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 g/kg diet at the expense of corn. Addition of 4.0 g/kg FOS to the basal diet significantly increased average daily gain of broilers. The feed-to-gain ratios were significantly decreased for the birds fed diets with 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg FOS versus the control. Addition of 4.0 g/kg FOS enhanced the growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, but inhibited Escherichia coli in the small intestinal and cecal digesta. Supplementation of 2.0 or 4.0 g/kg FOS to chicks significantly improved the activities of amylase compared to the control (12.80 or 14.75 vs. 8.42 Somogyi units). A significant increase in the activities of total protease was observed in 4.0 g/kg FOS-treated birds versus controls (83.91 vs. 65.97 units). Morphology data for the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum showed no significant differences for villus height, crypt depth, or microvillus height at the duodenum. By contrast, addition of 4.0 g/kg FOS significantly increased ileal villus height, jejunal and ileal microvillus height, and villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratios at the jejunum and ileum and decreased crypt depth at the jejunum and ileum. However, addition of 8.0 g/kg FOS had no significant effect on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, intestinal microflora, or morphology.

Effects of Dietary Fructooligosaccharide on Digestive Enzyme Activities, Intestinal Microflora and Morphology of Growing Pigs

One hundred and twenty-eight growing barrows (Jiaxing Black×Duroc×Landrace) at an average BW of 20.8 kg were allocated to four treatments for 42 days, each of which was replicated four times with eight pigs per replicate and used to investigate the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on digestive enzyme activities, intestinal microflora and morphology of growing pigs. The pigs received the same basal corn-soybean meal diet and FOS was added to the basal diet at 0, 2, 4, 6 g/kg diet at the expense of corn, respectively. As compared to control, supplementation with 4 and 6 g/kg FOS significantly improved average daily gain and feed efficiency. Addition of FOS enhanced the growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, but inhibited Clostridium and Escherichia coli in the small intestinal and proximal colonic contents. Supplementation with 4 and 6 g/kg FOS significantly improved the activities of total protease, trypsin and amylase in the small intestinal contents. However, FOS had no significant effect on the activity of lipase in the small intestinal contents as well as the digestive enzymes in pancreas. Morphological measurement of jejunal mucosa did show response to consumption of FOS. Villus height and the villus height to crypt depth ratio at the jejunal mucosa were significantly higher with 4 and 6 g/kg FOS supplementation as compared to control. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 12 : 1784-1789)

Effects of dietary oligosaccharides on the growth performance and faecal characteristics of young growing pigs

The effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and trans-galacto-oligosaccharides (TOS) were studied on growth performance and faecal characteristics of young growing pigs. FOS and TOS are non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs); they are not hydrolyzed by enzymes of endogenous origin, but are readily available as substrate for the gastrointestinal microflora. Dietary levels of NDO-rich products were 7.5 and 15 g kg −1 diet for FOS, and 10 and 20 g kg −1 diet for TOS. NDOs were included in an experimental corn-based control diet, which was low in NDOs (190 mg raffinose kg −1) and contained no additional copper, antibiotics or probiotics. NDO-rich products were included at the expense of glucose and purified cellulose. Resulting five experimental diets were fed ad libitum to 9-week old castrated male piglets ( n=10) with an initial body weight (se) of 15.6±0.3 kg. Pigs had received the control diet for 19 days before reaching this body weight. Individual body weights and feed refusals were recorded every 3–4 days during six weeks. Fresh faeces were rectally collected at day 0, day 14, and day 35, and analyzed for NDOs, pH, and dry matter content. Dry matter intake and body weight gain of the NDO-fed pigs were lower than the control pigs ( P=0.039 and P=0.031, respectively) in week one through three. Dietary NDOs did not affect mean growth performance in week one through six. FOS and TOS could not be detected in the faeces. Dietary NDOs did not affect faecal pH. Faecal pH increased with time ( P<0.01). NDO-fed pigs had a lower faecal dry matter content than control pigs ( P=0.062). Pigs fed TOS-rich diets had a lower faecal dry matter content than pigs fed FOS-rich diets ( P=0.061). It is concluded from this experiment that exchanging cellulose for NDOs in young growing pigs' diet results in a temporary depressed feed intake with little or no effects on faecal dry matter content and pH.