Fructooligosaccharides Feeding Research Articles

Effect of Feeding Fructooligosaccharides and Enterococcus faecium and Their Interaction on Digestibility, Blood, and Immune Parameters of Adult Horses

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dietary prebiotic fructooligosaccharides (FOS) from inulin and Enterococcus faecium on nutrient digestibility, fecal pH, and some blood parameters. In this experiment, twelve adult Kurdish horses with average bogy weight of 416 ± 43.3 kg and age averaging 6 ± 1.8 year were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial design during 4 periods of 28 days, including 21 days for dietary adaptation and 7 days for sampling. Horses were offered 1 of 4 treatments: (1) no FOS or 2.5 × 1011 colony forming units (CFU) of Enterococcus faecium supplementation (Con), (2) 10 g of FOS without Enterococcus faecium supplementation (Pre), (3) 10 g of Enterococcus faecium without FOS supplementation (Pro), and (4) 10 g of FOS plus 10 g of Enterococcus faecium supplementation (Mix). Results showed that fecal pH decreased in horses fed Pre or Pro treatments compared with those not supplemented (P < .05). Also, triglyceride and cholesterol decreased when Pre was added to the diets (P < .05). The concentration of triglyceride and cholesterol decreased in horses fed the Mix and Pro diets. Pre × Pro supplementation interactions were significant for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration and tended to be significant for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration, and horses fed the Mix treatment had the greatest and the lowest concentration of HDL and LDL, respectively (P < .01). The IgM concentration was greater in horses fed Pre or Pro compared with those not supplemented (P < .05). The treatments had no effect on IgA, IgG or liver enzymes concentration. Moreover, results indicated that FOS and Enterococcus faecium adding may interact to affect blood parameters, but did not affect nutrient digestibility under our experimental conditions, therefore further researches with higher supplementary doses are warranted.

Lactobacillus salivarius reverse antibiotic-induced lung defense impairment in a ventilator model

BackgroundWidespread use of antibiotics in the intensive care unit is a potential cause of the emergence of hospital-acquired pneumonia. This study determined whether Lactobacillus salivarius feeding could reverse antibiotic-induced lung defense impairment in a ventilator model.MethodsC57BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice received mechanical ventilation for 3 h after intramuscular antibiotic treatment for 6 days. Treatment with dead Lactobacillus salivarius and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) feeding were used to stimulate antibacterial protein expression in the intestine. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the intestinal mucosa was detected using 2ʹ7ʹ-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The peroxynitrite production of alveolar macrophages (AMs) was measured using dihydrorhodamine 123 oxidation assay. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, was orally administered to mice receiving antibiotics with FOS feeding.ResultsAntibiotic treatment decreased Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) phagocytic activity and activity of AMs and protein expression of regenerating islet-derived protein 3β (Reg3β) as well as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the intestinal mucosa in the ventilator model. Antibiotic treatment also decreased ROS production in the intestinal mucosa, peroxynitrite production of AMs, and RELMβ expression as well as NF-κB DNA binding activity of the intestinal mucosa in WT mice but not in MyD88−/− mice. Treatment with dead L. salivarius or FOS feeding increased ROS production, bacterial killing activity, and protein expression of Reg3β as well as TLR4 in the intestinal mucosa and reversed the inhibitory effects of antibiotics on PA phagocytic activity of AMs.ConclusionTaken together with the finding that ablation of FOS-induced intestinal ROS using NAC decreased peroxynitrite production as well as PA phagocytic activity of AMs and protein expression of CRP-ductin, IL-17, Reg3β, and RELMβ in the intestinal mucosa, we conclude that commensal microflora plays a key role in stimulating lung immunity. Intestinal ROS plays a role as a predictive indicator and modulator of pulmonary defense mechanisms. Antibiotic treatment reduces lung defense against PA infection through the decrease in intestinal Reg3β and TLR4 expression. Treatment with dead L. salivarius or FOS feeding reverses the antibiotic-induced lung defense impairment through the intestinal ROS/MyD88 pathways.

Transfer of blood urea nitrogen to cecal microbes and nitrogen retention in mature rabbits are increased by dietary fructooligosaccharides

To estimate the effect of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on N utilization, seven mature rabbits were fed a diet containing 5% glucose or FOS for 8 days. During the last 5 days, total feces and urine were collected to measure N levels (Experiment 1). To examine N transfer from the blood to cecal microbes, eight rabbits were fed the same diets as in Experiment 1. After 9 days of feeding, 2 g of glucose or FOS was given orally. Two hours later 20 mg of (15) N-urea was administered via the ear vein, and 1 h later cecal and blood samples were collected (Experiment 2). Urinary N excretion was lowered by FOS feeding (P < 0.05). Total bacterial N and (15) N in the cecum was significantly higher in FOS-fed animals (P < 0.05). Urea N in the cecum was lower in FOS-fed rabbits (P < 0.05). Similarly, (15) N atom % excess of cecal urea N was also lower in FOS-fed rabbits than in glucose-fed rabbits. These results suggest that FOS in the diet increases the transfer of blood urea N to the cecum for bacterial synthesis, thereby increasing N utilization.

Dietary fructo-oligosaccharides improve insulin sensitivity along with the suppression of adipocytokine secretion from mesenteric fat cells in rats

Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are known to have beneficial effects on health. However, the effects of FOS on insulin resistance have not been fully clarified. We observed the effects of FOS feeding on insulin sensitivity and adipocytokine release from abdominal adipocytes in weaning rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 3 weeks old, were divided into three groups and fed a sucrose-based American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-93 growth diet (control), the control diet containing 5% FOS for 5 weeks (FOS-5wk) or the control diet for 2 weeks followed by the 5% FOS diet for 3 weeks (FOS-3wk). Tail blood was collected after fasting for 9h on day 33 of feeding, and glucose and insulin levels were measured. On the last day, rats were anaesthetised and killed after the collection of aortic blood. Small- and large-intestinal mesenteric fat tissues were immediately excised, and the release of adiponectin, leptin and TNF-α was evaluated from the subsequently isolated adipocytes. The weight of the large-intestinal mesenteric fat, fasting blood insulin level and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance decreased in a time-dependent manner, and were much lower in the FOS-5wk group than in the control group. These values were correlated with aortic blood leptin levels. The secretion rate of leptin from the isolated mesenteric adipocytes in the small intestine, but not in the large intestine, was lower in the FOS-fed groups than in the control group. In conclusion, FOS feeding improved insulin sensitivity accompanied by the reduction in large-intestinal fat mass and leptin secretion from the mesenteric adipocytes of the small intestine.

Impaired barrier function by dietary fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) in rats is accompanied by increased colonic mitochondrial gene expression

BackgroundDietary non-digestible carbohydrates stimulate the gut microflora and are therefore presumed to improve host resistance to intestinal infections. However, several strictly controlled rat infection studies showed that non-digestible fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) increase, rather than decrease, translocation of Salmonella towards extra-intestinal sites. In addition, it was shown that FOS increases intestinal permeability already before infection. The mechanism responsible for this adverse effect of FOS is unclear. Possible explanations are altered mucosal integrity due to changes in tight junctions or changes in expression of defense molecules such as antimicrobials and mucins. To examine the mechanisms underlying weakening of the intestinal barrier by FOS, a controlled dietary intervention study was performed. Two groups of 12 rats were adapted to a diet with or without FOS. mRNA was collected from colonic mucosa and changes in gene expression were assessed for each individual rat using Agilent rat whole genome microarrays.ResultsAmong the 997 FOS induced genes we observed less mucosal integrity related genes than expected with the clear permeability changes. FOS did not induce changes in tight junction genes and only 8 genes related to mucosal defense were induced by FOS. These small effects are unlikely the cause for the clear increase in intestinal permeability that is observed. FOS significantly increased expression of 177 mitochondria-related genes. More specifically, induced expression of genes involved in all five OXPHOS complexes and the TCA cycle was observed. These results indicate that dietary FOS influences intestinal mucosal energy metabolism. Furthermore, increased expression of 113 genes related to protein turnover, including proteasome genes, ribosomal genes and protein maturation related genes, was seen. FOS upregulated expression of the peptide hormone proglucagon gene, in agreement with previous studies, as well as three other peptide hormone genes; peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide and cholecystokinin.ConclusionWe conclude that altered energy metabolism may underly colonic barrier function disruption due to FOS feeding in rats.

Feeding a Diet Containing a Fructooligosaccharide Mix Can Enhance Salmonella Vaccine Efficacy in Mice

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are considered prebiotics because of their ability to promote growth of specific beneficial gut bacteria, such as bifidobacteria. Some studies reported potential immune-modulating properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of FOS:inulin mix on murine response to Salmonella vaccine and evaluate the relevance toward protection against Salmonella infection. Balb/c mice were fed a diet containing 5% FOS:inulin mix or a control diet 1 wk before oral immunization with a suboptimal dose of live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium vaccine. Four weeks after vaccination, mice were infected with LD100 of virulent S. typhimurium. Specific blood Salmonella immunoglobulin G and fecal immunoglobulin A significantly increased in mice fed the diet containing prebiotics compared with control mice 4 wk postimmunization. Peritoneal macrophage phagocytic activity also significantly increased in FOS:inulin-fed mice at 1 wk postimmunization compared with control mice. No detectable effects were observed on the percentage of lymphoid cell subsets in the spleen. However, production of cytokines, interferon-γ, interleukin-12, and tumor necrosis factor α, was numerically increased in spleen cell cultures stimulated with mitogens from FOS:inulin-fed mice 1 and 4 wk postimmunization. Salmonella translocation to lymphoid organs was not affected by feeding FOS:inulin. However, the improved response to Salmonella vaccine was concomitant with an increase in the survival rate of FOS:inulin-fed mice upon challenge with virulent Salmonella. No detectable effects were observed on the composition or the metabolic activity of the microbiota. Overall, the data suggest that a diet supplemented with FOS:inulin mix stimulates mucosal immunity and seems to improve efficacy of an oral vaccine.

Ingestion of difructose anhydride III, a non-digestible disaccharide, prevents gastrectomy-induced iron malabsorption and anemia in rats

Objective Total gastrectomy produces iron malabsorption and anemia, and several non-digestible carbohydrates promote mineral absorption. In this study, we examined the effects of feeding difructose anhydride III (DFAIII), a non-digestible disaccharide, on gastrectomy-induced iron malabsorption and anemia in rats in comparison with those of feeding fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). Methods Sham-operated and totally gastrectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed the control, DFAIII (30 g/kg), or FOS (30 g/kg) diet for 4 wk. Feces and tail blood were collected at 2 and 4 wk to evaluate body iron status and iron absorption. Results Gastrectomy severely decreased net iron absorption, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit in the control dietary group. The decreased absorption in gastrectomized rats was restored to the sham control level by feeding the DFAIII or FOS diet. Iron absorption in sham rats was higher in the FOS and DFAIII groups than in the control group. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit in gastrectomized rats fed the DFAIII diet, but not the FOS diet, returned to levels comparable to the effects in sham rats fed the control diet. Feeding DFAIII increased short-chain fatty acid pools and decreased pH of cecal contents. These parameters for cecal fermentation correlated with iron absorption. Conclusions DFAIII feeding restores gastrectomy-induced iron malabsorption, resulting in complete prevention of iron-deficiency anemia in rats. Cecal fermentation of DFAIII may contribute to the improvement in these gastrectomy-induced defects. Feeding with low level of FOS did not fully improve postgastrectomy anemia.

Ingestion of difructose anhydride III, a non-digestible disaccharide, improves postgastrectomy osteopenia in rats

Objective. Total gastrectomy produces osteopenia with calcium malabsorption. We previously demonstrated that difructose anhydride III (DFAIII), a non-digestible disaccharide, stimulates intestinal calcium absorption in normal and ovariectomized rats. In the present study, we examined the effects of feeding DFAIII on gastrectomy-induced calcium malabsorption and osteopenia in rats. The potential of DFAIII to promote large intestinal calcium absorption was also evaluated through comparison with that of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Material and methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: totally gastrectomized and sham-operated rats. After a postoperative recovery period, rats from each group were divided into three subgroups and fed the control, DFAIII (30 g/kg), or FOS (30 g/kg) diet for 28 days. Results. Total gastrectomy severely reduced net calcium absorption, femoral calcium content and bone mineral density, resulting in fragility of the femur. DFAIII or FOS feeding partly and similarly restored the lowered calcium absorption and femoral variables, with an increase in the total short-chain fatty acid pool in the cecum. In gastrectomized rats, net calcium absorption was correlated with several cecal parameters, suggesting that cecal fermentation of DFAIII is associated with the improvement in gastrectomy-induced calcium malabsorption. Urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) as a marker of bone resorption was increased by gastrectomy, and the elevated D-Pyr excretion was suppressed by feeding DFAIII. Conclusions. Supplemental feeding of DFAIII partly prevents postgastrectomy osteopenia as a result of an improvement in calcium absorption. Our results suggest that the promotive effects of DFAIII on calcium absorption in the large intestine are comparable to those of FOS.

The effect of fructooligosaccharides was analyzed by cDNA expression arrays.

We have already reported that indigestible fructooligosaccharides (FOS) increased calcium absorption in rat large intestines and that calbindin-D9k (CaBP), which is an intestine-specific calcium-binding protein, is involved in that increasing effect. In this study, not only the CaBP gene, every gene that changed expression profiles as the result of FOS feeding was identified by cDNA expression arrays. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed an experimental diet containing 10% FOS for 10 d. To compare gene expression with rats fed a control diet, total mRNA was extracted from the colorectum and analyzed using a Rat cDNA Expression Arrays filter. This arrays filter contains probes of 588 genes, and 195 of them showed detectable changes in their expression by FOS feeding. There were six genes that increased their expression more than twice that of the control. Among them, genes related to the induction of cell growth such as Map kinase 1 and Max were included. Expressions that decreased to less than half were observed in 20 genes, such as somatostatin and prohibitin, which prohibit cell growth. These results are consistent with the other observation that FOS increases cell growth in the colorectum. This approach has revealed that cDNA array technology is an effective tool for nutritional sciences that involve the regulation of a large number of genes, especially for molecular mechanisms of regulation, by nutritional constituents.

Fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation: effects on metabolic, endocrine and hematological traits in veal calves.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are soluble fibres which exert various effects in the gastrointestinal tract, and induce metabolic and endocrine changes. The effects are favourable in diabetes mellitus, and may be favourable in veal calves, which during late periods of fattening often develop hyperglycemia, glucosuria and insulin resistance, especially during high lactose intake. Based on this we have studied metabolic, endocrine and haematological traits in veal calves (Simmental x Red Holstein) fed FOS (10 g/day; group GrF) or no FOS (group GrC). Whole milk and milk replacer in both groups, on a kg body weight basis, were fed in identical amounts. Experiments, lasting for 3 weeks, started when calves were 10 weeks old and weighed 117 kg. During week 3 lactose was supplemented to enhance post-absorptive glucose loads. Feed intakes were similar in both groups, but weight gain tended to be higher in GrF than GrC. The post-prandial increase of glucose concentrations was significantly smaller, of lactate tended to be smaller, and growth hormone peak frequency tended to be lower, whereas maximal insulin concentrations reached post-prandially were significantly higher in GrF than GrC. Eosinophil granulocytes increased during FOS feeding. In conclusion, FOS had basically similar effects on metabolic and endocrine traits in veal calves as in animals and humans with diabetes mellitus, but changes were small, albeit more prominent after lactose loads.

難消化性糖質（フラクトオリゴ糖）のミネラル吸収促進作用

The importance of indigestible carbohydrates such as dietary fiber is well recognized. In recent years, the stimulatory effects of indigestible sugars such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on mineral absorption have been discovered and examined. This review provides an overview of current research work in this field. FOS are not digested by human enzymes. Dietary FOS are effective for increasing not only apparent but also true intestinal calcium (Ca) absorption in rats. Dietary FOS also stimulate magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) absorption. These effects show dose dependency and are long-lasting. FOS increase the absorption of Mg from natural foods such as cocoa and rice bran. The increase in Ca and Mg absorption is diminished by cecectomy. Ca and Mg disappear from the colorectal contents in the course of transit from the cecum to the anus. The absorption of cecally infused Ca and Mg is increased by dietary FOS. Moreover, dietary FOS increase large intestinal calbindin-D9k. These results suggest that the stimulatory action of FOS is exerted in the large intestine. FOS improve the bioavailability of these minerals in sever disease models rats. Dietary FOS prevent osteopenia in both ovariectomized rats and gastrectomized rats. In gastrectomized rats, FOS feeding also prevents anemia. Supplying a diet with a high Ca and high phosphorus content markedly decreases Mg absorption, and rats fed such a diet exhibit typical symptoms of Mg deficiency. However, these symptoms are suppressed by FOS feeding. The Ca absorption-promoting effect of FOS has been confirmed in humans by two different methods (balance study and double isotope method). Therefore, it is expected that many clinical applications of FOS will be established in the near future.

True Calcium Absorption in the Intestine Is Enhanced by Fructooligosaccharide Feeding in Rats

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have been shown to stimulate apparent calcium absorption in the intestine. In this study, we examined the effect of FOS on true calcium absorption using the calcium balance in combination with the 45Ca kinetics method. Sixteen 45-d-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control group (n = 8) and a FOS group (n = 8). The diet fed to the FOS group contained 5% FOS, at the expense of half of the sucrose in the control diet. After an adaptation period (3 d) and a free-access period (3 d) that were used to estimate the amount of food required for pair-feeding on the basis of calcium, all of the rats were pair-fed throughout the experiment from the age of 51 d. A constant amount of calcium was fed to the rats in each group (95 mg /d). At age 60 d, a 3-d metabolic study was started by the intravenous injection of 45Ca. Several variables were calculated on the bases of measurements of calcium intake, calcium in feces and serum, and 45Ca in feces, urine and serum. Both true and apparent calcium absorption in the intestine (Vad and Vna) and urinary calcium were significantly greater in rats that had been fed FOS. There were no differences between the groups in endogenous net calcium excretion into feces (Vf; Vad − Vna). The calcium balance was also enhanced by FOS. Calcium balance in the FOS group was significantly correlated with the absorbed calcium (r2 = 0.936, P < 0.01), as was that in the control group (r2 = 0.994, P < 0.01). These results suggest that the increased true calcium absorption and balance produced by FOS feeding might improve bone calcification.

Dietary Fructooligosaccharides Change the Concentration of Calbindin-D9k Differently in the Mucosa of the Small and Large Intestine of Rats

Previously, we confirmed that dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS) increase calcium absorption in rats. In this study, we examined the influence of FOS feeding on the concentration of calbindin-D9k of several intestinal segments in rats. Rats in the control group were fed a diet without FOS. Rats in the other two groups were fed the diet containing FOS at either 50 or 100 g/kg for 10 d and subjected to a calcium absorption study. On the final day of feeding, the rats were killed and the entire intestine was removed. The intestinal mucosa was collected from four segments, i.e., the proximal and distal segments of the small intestine, the cecum and the colorectum, respectively. The apparent absorption of calcium increased dose dependently (r = 0.9256, P < 0.0001). Significant positive correlations between apparent calcium absorption and the relative amounts of calbindin in both large intestinal segments were observed (cecum, r = 0.8956, P = 0.0011; colorectum, r = 0.8828, P = 0.0016). Also, significant negative correlations between apparent calcium absorption and the relative amounts of calbindin-D9k in both small intestinal segments were observed (proximal, r = −0.7149, P = 0.0304; distal, r = −0.8740, P = 0.0021). In conclusion, FOS feeding increases levels of calbindin-D9k in the large intestine, but decreases those in the small intestine. Moreover, these results suggest that part of the stimulatory effect of fructooligosaccharides relates to the transcellular route of calcium absorption in the large intestine of rats.

Dietary Fructooligosaccharides Increase Calcium Absorption and Levels of Mucosal Calbindin-D9k in the Large Intestine of Gastrectomized Rats

Background: In gastrectomized rats intestinal calcium absorption and bone calcium levels markedly decrease and the levels recover as a result of feeding fructooligosaccharides (FOS). In the present study we examined the effects of gastrectomy and dietary FOS on intestinal calbindin-D9k (CaBP) levels. Methods: One group of rats was subjected to a sham operation and fed a control diet. Two other groups of rats were gastrectomized, and those in one group were fed the control diet, whereas those in the other group were fed a diet containing 10% FOS. Intestinal calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus absorption levels and intestinal CaBP levels were measured. Results: Gastrectomy increased CaBP levels in the distal small intestine, cecum, and colorectum but markedly decreased calcium absorption. Dietary FOS increased CaBP levels in the cecum and colorectum in the case of gastrectomized rats and improved calcium absorption. Conclusions: The results suggest that dietary FOS not only improve intestinal calcium absorption but also serve to maintain local calcium homeostasis in the intestine by increasing mucosal CaBP levels in the large intestine of gastrectomized rats.

Prevention of coprophagy modifies magnesium absorption in rats fed with fructo-oligosaccharides

We developed a new type of anal cup for prevention of coprophagy and determined whether the absorption of Ca and Mg and the stimulatory effects of feeding fructo-oligosaccharides (FO) on the absorption of Ca and Mg were altered by prevention of coprophagy in rats. Rats were fed on a FO-free diet or a diet containing 50 g FO/kg for 2 weeks with or without prevention of coprophagy. FO-feeding increased the apparent absorptive ratio of Ca and Mg in rats with or without prevention of coprophagy. However, in the FO-fed groups the absorptive ratio of Mg in rats with prevention of coprophagy was higher than in rats without prevention of coprophagy. The Ca content of the femur was higher in rats fed on the FO-diet than in rats fed on the FO-free diet both with and without coprophagy. In conclusion, FO-feeding increased the absorption of Ca and Mg in rats both with and without coprophagy. Moreover, prevention of coprophagy enhanced the absorption of Mg in rats fed with FO. Coprophagy has to be considered when the effects of luminal fermentation or mineral absorption are examined in rats.

Fructooligosaccharides stimulate the absorption of magnesium from the hindgut in rats

We investigated the effects of feeding fructooligosaccharides (FO) on the absorption of Mg from the hindgut in cecal-cannulated rats in vivo. Male rats, four wks old male rats, were divided into four groups. Rats in two groups were fed Mg-containing diet and other two groups were fed Mg-free diet with cecal infusion of Mg. Rats of both groups were fed FO-free or FO-containing diet, respectively. The absorptive ratio of Mg administrated into the cecum was similar to that of Mg fed orally in rats fed FO-free and FO-containing diet, respectively. FO-feeding significantly increased the apparent absorption of Mg in both rats fed Mg orally and rats with Mg infused into the cecum. Moreover, the extent of the increase in the absorption of Mg by infusion into the cecum and by oral feeding was the same. In a separate experiment, we observed that only the rats fed Mg-free diet exhibited auricular and facial peripheral hyperemia and hemorrhage. However such symptoms were not observed in the rats with Mg infused into the cecum. In conclusion, these results indicate that FO-feeding stimulates absorption of Mg in the hindgut mainly.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Fructooligosaccharides on Colonic Microbiota Populations and Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Neonatal Pigs

Summary:Two experiments were conducted with neonatal pigs to determine the effects of feeding fructooligosaccharides on cecal and colonic microbiota, proliferation of cecal and colonic epithelial mucosa, and short‐chain fatty acid concentrations in the cecum. Experiment 1 consisted of feeding neonatal pigs diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharides/L of formula for 15 days and then examining the large intestine for changes in cecal and proximal colonic microbiota; cecal pH; short‐chain fatty acid concentrations; morphology of cecal, proximal, and distal colonic epithelial mucosa; gross necropsy; and his‐topathology. Supplementation with fructooligosaccharides (FOS) did not alter cell counts of viable bifidobac‐teria organisms or total anaerobic microbiota, cecal pH, or concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids. Cecal mu‐cosal cell density and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Proximal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, labeled cells, proliferation zone, and labeling index increased with FOS consumption. Distal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, cell density, labeling index, and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Gross necropsy and histopathology found no significant lesions. In Experiment 2, neonatal pigs were fed diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharides/L of formula for 6 days. Fecal samples were collected on the first full day of feeding and on days 3 and 6 after initiation of feeding. On days 1 and 3, concentrations of bifidobacteria were similar between diets; however, on day 6, pigs consuming FOS tended to have greater numbers of bifidobacteria (p = 0.08). These data suggest dietary consumption of FOS will enhance bifidobacteria populations and prevent colonic epithelial mucosa atrophy in neonates fed an elemental diet.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Fructooligosaccharides on Colonic Microbiota Populations and Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Neonatal Pigs

Two experiments were conducted with neonatal pigs to determine the effects of feeding fructooligosaccharides on cecal and colonic microbiota, proliferation of cecal and colonic epithelial mucosa, and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the cecum. Experiment 1 consisted of feeding neonatal pigs diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharies/L of formula for 15 days and then examining the large intestine for changes in cecal and proximal colonic microbiota; cecal pH; short-chain fatty acid concentrations; morphology of cecal, proximal, and distal colonic epithelial mucosa; gross necropsy; and histopathology. Supplementation with fructooligosacchariudes (FOS) did not alter cell counts of viable bifidobacterial organisms or total anaerobic microbiota, cecal pH, or concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. Cecal mucosal cell density and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Proximal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, labeled cells, proliferation zone, and labeling index increased with FOS consumption. Distal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, cell density, labeling index, and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Gross necropsy and histopathology found no significan lesions. In Experiment 2, neonatal pigs were fed diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharides/L of formula for 6 days. Fecal samples were collected on the first full day of feeding and on days 3 and 6 after initiation of feeding. On days 1 and 3, concentrations of bifidobacteria were similar between diets; however, on day 6, pigs consuming FOS tended to have greater numbers of bifidobacteria (p = 0.08). These data suggest dietary consumption of FOS will enhance bifidobacteria populations and prevent colonic epithelial mucosa atrophy in neonates fed an elemental diet.