Types Of Dietary Fiber Research Articles

Rearranged supramolecular structure of resistant starch with polymorphic microcrystals prepared in high-solid enzymatic system

Resistant starch (RS) is widely used as a new type of dietary fiber, but it is still a limitation of controllable formation of microstructure and polymeric architecture for preparing single-component RS (pure-phase). In this study, RS was prepared using maize starch with two ratios of amylose to amylopectin (RAA1:1 and RAA1:2) and four pullulanase concentrations (5, 15, 25, 35 U/g) in a high-solid dynamic reaction environment of bio-extrusion. Based on the long- and short-range orders reflected by the glycosidic bonds (13C NMR), chain-length distributions (SEC/FACE), single-/double-helices (FTIR), lamellas (SAXS) and crystalline pattern (XRD), the rearranged supramolecular structure of starch and their relationships with physicochemical properties (DSC and RVA) was illuminated. There were two morphologies of RS were created: 1) disordered fusion-like structure displayed by RAA1:1-P15 and RAA1:2-P35, which had the high contents of RS (54.95 and 54.19%) and short amylopectin (DP ≤ 24) (70.52% and 60.20%). The short (A chains) and extremely short (DP < 6) amylopectin could contribute to form submicro-crystallite with B1 chains in the extruded matrix at a low moisture level; 2) thinner, scalier and layered-like structure displayed by RAA1:2-P15 that was the transition state from thick layered strips of large granules. Its SDS content was high (33.61%) and owned the larger rearranged dLorentz (16.97 nm). Overall, the entangled regime of amylose and amylopectin in the modifications of starch with different structural units or micro-domains in this study will provide a new idea and reference to explore the preparation of novel RS.

Inulin-type prebiotics reduce serum uric acid levels via gut microbiota modulation: a randomized, controlled crossover trial in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Increased levels of uric acid (UA), which is mainly excreted through the kidneys, are independently associated with higher mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The uricolysis of gut microbiota plays an important role in extrarenal excretion of UA. This study aimed to examine the effect of inulin-type prebiotics (a type of fermentable dietary fiber) on intestinal microbiota modulation and serum UA levels in ESRD patients. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients were recruited to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of 12-week inulin-type prebiotics. Participants were visited before and after treatment with prebiotics or placebo. Serum UA levels, dietary purine intake, serum xanthine oxidase (XO) activity, daily "renal excretion" of UA, and fecal UA degradation capability were measured at each visit. Fecal metagenomic analysis was conducted to assess microbial composition and function. Sixteen participants (mean age = 37 y; 10 men and 6 women) completed the trial, and 64 specimens were analyzed. The average concentration of serum UA decreased by approximately 10% in the prebiotic intervention group in comparison to the placebo group (p = 0.047) without an increase in daily "renal excretion" of UA via urine and dialysate. There were no significant changes in purine intake or activity of XO. Notably, enhanced fecal UA degradation was observed after prebiotic intervention (p = 0.041), and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, which was positively associated with fecal UA degradation, increased in the prebiotic period (p = 0.032). Furthermore, prebiotics enriched purine-degrading species in the gut microbiota, including unclassified_o_Clostridiales, Clostridium sp. CAG:7, Clostridium sp. FS41, Clostridium citroniae, Anaerostipes caccae, and Clostridium botulinum. Inulin-type prebiotics is a promising therapeutic candidate to reduce serum UA levels in renal failure patients, and this urate-lowering effect could possibly be attributed to intestinal microbial degradation of UA. This study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ), registration ID: ChiCTR-INR-17013739, registration date: 6th Dec 2017.

Social Status Differentially Affects Behavioral and Immunological Outcomes of Group-Kept Sows Fed Different Dietary Fiber Using Different Length Feeding Barriers

Social conflict is inevitable among group-housed sows and may contribute to poorer welfare among those sows experiencing more social stress. The degree of individual welfare is associated with social position within the group. Therefore, this study examined the effects of social status on behavior, immune, endocrine, and productivity of group-housed pregnant sows fed a diet supplemented with 30% wheat middlings and 15% soybean hulls (MID-SH) or 30% distillers dried grains with solubles and 30% corn germ meal (DDGS-GM) and in pens with individual feeding places made from short (58.4 cm) or long (203.2 cm) barriers. A 2 × 2 factorial design resulted in 4 experimental treatment groups (n= 9 sows/diet-length-block combination): (1) MID-SHshort; (2) MID-SHlong; (3) DDGS-GMshort; (4) DDGS-GMlong. Groups of sows equally representing all diet-length combinations across 4 blocks (n= 36 sows/block) were subjected to a feeding competition test to identify highest (dominant) and lowest (subordinate) ranked sows within each group resulting in 64 sows (n= 16 sows/treatment;n= 32 sows/social status). Data revealed 2- and 3-way interactive effects on aggressive behavior (P&amp;lt; 0.005), postural (P&amp;lt; 0.01), oral (P&amp;lt; 0.0001), and eating (P&amp;lt; 0.005) behaviors, sow mean body weights and gains (P&amp;lt; 0.05) and litter weaning weights (P&amp;lt; 0.05), especially among subordinates in pens with long barriers. Subordinates in pens with long barriers received 21% less aggression and were 73% less likely to be displaced than subordinates in pens with short ones (P&amp;lt; 0.0001). Dietary treatment also influenced some of these measures among the subordinates in pens with long barriers. For example, subordinates in DDGS-GMlongreceived 64 and 67% less aggression than subordinates in DDGS-GMshortand MID-SHshort(P&amp;lt; 0.005). Eat bouts were greatest among subordinates in MID-SHlong, and sitting and sham-chewing were less. However, those in DDGS-GMlongspent less time standing and laying, and their litters were 15.28 kg heavier (P= 0.01), but overall subordinates fed DDGS-GM diet were lightest and gained less total body weight than those fed MID-SH (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Other measures such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were elevated among dominants in MID-SHlong(P&amp;lt; 0.05); whereas, cortisol (P= 0.06) was lowest and glucose (P= 0.09) highest for subordinates in DDGS-GMlong.These data imply that subordinates benefited from being housed in pens with long barriers, but the type of dietary fiber consumed differentially influenced behavioral budget and several sow- or litter-related traits among subordinates in pens with long barriers. In contrast, the subordinates in pens with short barriers had poorer welfare regardless of diet. Collectively, these data imply that social status is a crucial factor contributing to variation in individual well-being among group-housed sows and that sows of different social positions within a group may evoke different biological responses in an attempt to cope.

Oat and Barley in the Food Supply and Use of Beta Glucan Health Claims.

Beta glucan is a type of soluble dietary fibre found in oats and barley with known cholesterol-lowering benefits. Many countries globally have an approved beta glucan health claim related to lowering blood cholesterol, an important biomarker for cardiovascular disease. However, the use of these claims has not been examined. The aim of this study was to explore the range and variety of oat and barley products in the Australian and global market within a defined range of grain food and beverage categories and examine the frequency of beta glucan health claims. Australian data were collected via a recognised nutrition audit process from the four major Australian supermarkets in metropolitan Sydney (January 2018 and September 2020) and Mintel Global New Product Database was used for global markets where a claim is permitted. Categories included breakfast cereals, bread, savoury biscuits, grain-based muesli bars, flour, noodles/pasta and plant-based milk alternatives and information collected included ingredients lists and nutrition and health claims. Products from Australia (n = 2462) and globally (n = 44,894) were examined. In Australia, 37 products (1.5%) made use of the beta glucan claim (84% related to oat beta glucan and 16% related to barley beta glucan, specifically BARLEYmax®). Of products launched globally, 0.9% (n = 403) displayed beta glucan cholesterol-lowering claims. Despite the number of products potentially eligible to make beta glucan claims, their use in Australia and globally is limited. The value of dietary modification in cardiovascular disease treatment and disease progression deserves greater focus, and health claims are an opportunity to assist in communicating the role of food in the management of health and disease. Further assessment of consumer understanding of the available claims would be of value.

Variations on gut health and energy metabolism in pigs and humans by intake of different dietary fibers.

Many studies have reported that dietary fibers play a crucial role in promoting intestinal health of the host, since it strengthens functions of epithelial barrier and meanwhile maintains intestinal homeostasis of the host by modulating gut microbiota and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Pig is a good animal model to study effects of dietary fiber on gut health and microbial community. This review has summarized the relevant knowledge available based on roles of various dietary fibers in gut health and energy metabolism of pigs and humans. Evidences summarized in our review indicated that modulating intestinal microbial composition and SCFA production by consuming specific dietary fibers properly could be conducive to health improvement and disease prevention of the host. However, types of dietary fiber from edible foods exert divergent impacts on gut health, energy metabolism, microbial composition, and SCFA production. Therefore, more attention should be focused on different responses of various dietary fibers intake on host metabolism and health.

Bioactive Dietary Fibers Selectively Promote Gut Microbiota to Exert Antidiabetic Effects.

High intake of dietary fibers was found to be inversely associated with type-2 diabetes (T2D), whereas the difference among different dietary fibers on T2D remains unclear. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of different dietary fibers on T2D. Nine types of dietary fibers were used to investigate and evaluate their effects on type-2 diabetic rats via physiology, genomics, and metabolomics. We found that supplementation with β-glucan, arabinogalactan, guar gum, apple pectin, glucomannan, and arabinoxylan significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose, whereas carrageenan, xylan, and xanthan gum did not affect glycemic control in diabetic rats. Also, bioactive dietary fibers (β-glucan, arabinogalactan, guar gum, and apple pectin) associated with the increased butyric acid level and abundance of beneficial bacteria (Lachnobacterium, Parabacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and some butyric acid-producing bacteria), as well as improved host metabolism by decreasing 12α-hydroxylated bile acids, acylcarnitines, and amino acids (leucine, phenylalanine, citrulline, etc.), thereby exert beneficial effects on T2D. It was also found that β-glucan might attenuate insulin resistance via downregulation of Prevotella copri-mediated biosynthesis of branched-chain amino acids in T2D. Together, our study uncovered the effects of different dietary fibers on T2D, along with their potential mechanism.

Reference values for intake of six types of soluble and insoluble fibre in healthy UK inhabitants based on the UK Biobank data.

To obtain a set of reference values for the intake of different types of dietary fibre in a healthy UK population. This descriptive cross-sectional study used the UK Biobank data to estimate the dietary patterns of healthy individuals. Data on fibre content in different foods were used to calculate the reference values which were then calibrated using real-world data on total fibre intake. UK Biobank is a prospective cohort study of over 500 000 individuals from across the United Kingdom with the participants aged between 40 and 69 years. UK Biobank contains information on over 500 000 participants. This study was performed using the data on 19 990 individuals (6941 men, 13 049 women) who passed stringent quality control and filtering procedures and had reported above-zero intake of the analysed foods. A set of reference values for the intake of six different types of soluble and insoluble fibres (cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin and lignin), including the corresponding totals, was developed and calibrated using real-world data. To our knowledge, this is the first study to establish specific reference values for the intake of different types of dietary fibre. It is well known that effects exerted by different types of fibre both directly and through modulation of microbiota are numerous. Conceivably, a deficit or excess intake of specific types of dietary fibre may detrimentally affect human health. Filling this knowledge gap opens new avenues for research in discussion in studies of nutrition and microbiota and offers valuable tools for practitioners worldwide.

Dietary Fibre Modulates the Gut Microbiota.

Dietary fibre has long been established as a nutritionally important, health-promoting food ingredient. Modern dietary practices have seen a significant reduction in fibre consumption compared with ancestral habits. This is related to the emergence of low-fibre “Western diets” associated with industrialised nations, and is linked to an increased prevalence of gut diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. The characteristic metabolic parameters of these individuals include insulin resistance, high fasting and postprandial glucose, as well as high plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Gut microbial signatures are also altered significantly in these cohorts, suggesting a causative link between diet, microbes and disease. Dietary fibre consumption has been hypothesised to reverse these changes through microbial fermentation and the subsequent production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which improves glucose and lipid parameters in individuals who harbour diseases associated with dysfunctional metabolism. This review article examines how different types of dietary fibre can differentially alter glucose and lipid metabolism through changes in gut microbiota composition and function.

Effect of a prebiotic supplement on knee joint function, gut microbiota, and inflammation in adults with co-morbid obesity and knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and painful condition where the articular cartilage surfaces progressively degenerate, resulting in loss of function and progressive disability. Obesity is a primary risk factor for the development and progression of knee OA, defined as the “metabolic OA” phenotype. Metabolic OA is associated with increased fat deposits that release inflammatory cytokines/adipokines, thereby resulting in systemic inflammation which can contribute to cartilage degeneration. There is currently no cure for OA. Prebiotics are a type of dietary fiber that can positively influence gut microbiota thereby reducing systemic inflammation and offering protection of joint integrity in rodents. However, no human clinical trials have tested the effects of prebiotics in adults with obesity suffering from knee OA. Therefore, the purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial is to determine if prebiotic supplementation can, through positive changes in the gut microbiota, improve knee function and physical performance in adults with obesity and knee OA.MethodsAdults (n = 60) with co-morbid obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) and knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II–III) will be recruited from the Alberta Hip and Knee Clinic and the Rocky Mountain Health Clinic and surrounding community of Calgary, Canada, and randomized (stratified by sex, BMI, and age) to prebiotic (oligofructose-enriched inulin; 16 g/day) or a calorie-matched placebo (maltodextrin) for 6 months. Anthropometrics, performance-based tests, knee pain, serum inflammatory markers and metabolomics, quality of life, and gut microbiota will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months (end of prebiotic supplementation), and 3 months following the end of the prebiotic supplementation.Clinical significanceThere is growing pressure on health care systems for aggressive OA treatment such as total joint replacement. Less aggressive, yet effective, conservative treatment options have the potential to address the growing prevalence of co-morbid obesity and knee OA by delaying the need for joint replacement or ideally preventing its need altogether. The results of this clinical trial will provide the first evidence regarding the efficacy of prebiotic supplementation on knee joint function and pain in adults with obesity and knee OA. If successful, the results may provide a simple, safe, and easy to adhere to intervention to reduce knee joint pain and improve the quality of life of adults with co-morbid knee OA and obesity.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov NCT04172688. Registered on 21 November 2019.

High-fiber diets attenuate emphysema development via modulation of gut microbiota and metabolism

Dietary fiber functions as a prebiotic to determine the gut microbe composition. The gut microbiota influences the metabolic functions and immune responses in human health. The gut microbiota and metabolites produced by various dietary components not only modulate immunity but also impact various organs. Although recent findings have suggested that microbial dysbiosis is associated with several respiratory diseases, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, and allergy, the role of microbiota and metabolites produced by dietary nutrients with respect to pulmonary disease remains unclear. Therefore, we explored whether the gut microbiota and metabolites produced by dietary fiber components could influence a cigarette smoking (CS)-exposed emphysema model. In this study, it was demonstrated that a high-fiber diet including non-fermentable cellulose and fermentable pectin attenuated the pathological changes associated with emphysema progression and the inflammatory response in CS-exposed emphysema mice. Moreover, we observed that different types of dietary fiber could modulate the diversity of gut microbiota and differentially impacted anabolism including the generation of short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and sphingolipids. Overall, the results of this study indicate that high-fiber diets play a beneficial role in the gut microbiota-metabolite modulation and substantially affect CS-exposed emphysema mice. Furthermore, this study suggests the therapeutic potential of gut microbiota and metabolites from a high-fiber diet in emphysema via local and systemic inflammation inhibition, which may be useful in the development of a new COPD treatment plan.

Microwave treatment enhances human gut microbiota fermentability of isolated insoluble dietary fibers

Most insoluble dietary fibers are known to be relatively poorly fermented by the human gut microbiota. Here, the potential of microwave (MW) treatment to enhance the susceptibility of insoluble fruit polysaccharides to fermentation by the human gut microbiota was evaluated. Insoluble fruits dietary fibers before (xylan A, xylan T, and arabinan) and after MW (xylan A-MW, xylan T-MW, and arabinan-MW) treatment were fermented using an in vitro fermentation model. Gas production, shifts in pH, and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production showed an increase in fermentability of all tested dietary fibers, with an average 4-fold increase in SCFAs production after microwaving with total SCFAs ranging from 17.1 mM in the arabinan-MW to 40.4 mM in the xylan T-MW. While arabinan-MW and xylan T-MW promoted all three SCFAs proportionally (acetate:propionate:butyrate), xylan A-MW led to a marked and slow increase in butyrate reaching 28.1% of total SCFAs at 24 h. Rearrangements in three-dimensional structure that potentially facilitate bacterial accessibility to the dietary fiber were observed by scanning electron microscopy in xylan A-MW, forming coin-like particles with ~1.1 µm diameter. 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that microbiota shifts were related to both treatment (native versus MW) and dietary fiber type with many butyrogenic species being promoted by xylan A-MW. Overall, MW treatment enhanced insoluble dietary fiber fermentability promoting increased SCFAs production and bacterial shifts which are related to health benefits.

Molecular Characteristics, Synthase, and Food Application of Cereal β-Glucan

Cereal β-glucan is a type of valuable dietary fiber that mainly exists in the aleurone, subaleurone, and endosperm of some cereal grains. β-Glucan is acknowledged as a functional food ingredient owing to its multiple health benefits, including the prevention of diabetes, reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease, antitumor effects, antioxidant activities, and immunostimulation. It is well documented that cellulose synthase-like CslF/H/J genes encode synthases responsible for β-glucan biosynthesis in cereal grains. Recently, β-glucan has been widely applied as an emulsion stabilizer, thickening agent, fat substitute, and bioactive ingredient in the food industry due to its water solubility, viscosity, gelation property, and health benefits. Therefore, the present paper aims to review the molecular characteristics, synthase gene family, and food application of cereal β-glucan in recent years.

Serum Concentration of Antibodies to Mumps, but Not Measles, Rubella, or Varicella, Is Associated with Intake of Dietary Fiber in the NHANES, 1999-2004.

Treatment with prebiotics, a type of dietary fiber, was recently shown to increase antibody concentrations following influenza vaccination in a meta-analysis of clinical trials. In observational epidemiologic studies it is not possible to estimate intake of prebiotics, but quantifying intake of dietary fiber is routine. Our objective was to investigate the potential effect of dietary fiber on immunogenicity. We examined serum antibody concentrations (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella) in relation to dietary fiber in more than 12,000 subjects in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the period 1999–2004. Data from one (1999–2002) or two (2003–2004) dietary recalls were used to calculate fiber intake. For Mumps the adjusted percentage difference in antibody concentration per interquartile range intake in energy-adjusted dietary fiber was 6.34% (95% confidence interval, 3.10, 9.68). Fiber from grain-based foods was more positively associated than fiber from other fiber-containing food groups. The association was slightly larger among subgroups with higher fiber intake, greater interquartile range in fiber intake, and less measurement error. Furthermore, based on the reliability of the diet recalls in 2003–2004, we calculated that the percentage difference per interquartile increment was substantially attenuated by measurement error. Dietary fiber may have a favorable influence on the immunogenicity of some vaccines or natural infections.

Diet-Associated Inflammation Modulates Inflammation and WNT Signaling in the Rectal Mucosa, and the Response to Supplementation with Dietary Fiber.

Inflammation drives colorectal cancer development, and colorectal cancer risk is influenced by dietary factors, including dietary fiber. Hyperactive WNT signaling occurs in colorectal cancer and may regulate inflammation. This study investigated (i) relationships between the inflammatory potential of diet, assessed using the Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII), and markers of WNT signaling, and (ii) whether DII status modulated the response to supplementation with two types of dietary fiber. Seventy-five healthy participants were supplemented with resistant starch and/or polydextrose (PD) or placebo for 50 days. Rectal biopsies were collected before and after intervention and used to assess WNT pathway gene expression and crypt cell proliferation. E-DII scores were calculated from food frequency questionnaire data. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fecal calprotectin concentrations were quantified. hsCRP concentration was significantly greater in participants with higher E-DII scores [least square means (LSM) 4.7 vs. 2.4 mg/L, P = 0.03]. Baseline E-DII score correlated with FOSL1 (β = 0.503, P = 0.003) and WNT11 (β = 0.472, P = 0.006) expression, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, endoscopy procedure, and smoking status. WNT11 expression was more than 2-fold greater in individuals with higher E-DII scores (LSM 0.131 vs. 0.059, P = 0.002). Baseline E-DII modulated the effects of PD supplementation on FOSL1 expression (P = 0.04). More proinflammatory diets were associated with altered WNT signaling and appeared to modulate the effects of PD supplementation on expression of FOSL1 This is the first study to investigate relationships between the E-DII and molecular markers of WNT signaling in rectal tissue of healthy individuals.Prevention Relevance: Our finding that more inflammatory dietary components may impact large bowel health through effects on a well-recognized pathway involved in cancer development will strengthen the evidence base for dietary advice to help prevent bowel cancer.

Structure of \u03b2-glucan from Tibetan hull-less barley and its in vitro fermentation by human gut microbiota

BackgroundThe influence of β-glucan on the human gut microbiota is closely related to the physicochemical structure of β-glucan. We purified a homogeneous water-soluble polysaccharide from Tibetan hull-less barley 25 and studied its structure and the in vitro fermentation profile.ResultsAnalysis by gas chromatography (GC), Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force micrograph (AFM) helped determine the hull-less barley polysaccharide to be a β-glucan (molecular weight: 3.45 × 104 Da), which was further characterized as mixed-linkage (1 → 3)(1 → 4)-linked β-d-glucans. SEM images demonstrated an intricate web structure of the hull-less barley polysaccharide, while the AFM images revealed the presence of small spherical particles in its structure. In addition, the microbiota composition of the hull-less barley polysaccharide group was found to be altered, wherein the abundance of Pantoea, Megamonas, Bifidobacterium, and Prevotella-9 were increased. On the other hand, in vitro fermentation revealed that hull-less barley polysaccharide significantly decreased the pH value and increased the production of acetate, propionate, and butyrate.ConclusionsHull-less barley polysaccharide is a type of dietary fiber, and its analysis suggested that it may serve as a prebiotic food supplement for the regulation of the gut microbiota.

Characterization of inulosucrase and the enzymatic synthesis of inulin

As a type of prebiotics and dietary fiber, inulin performs plenty of significant physiological functions and is applied in food and pharmaceutical fields. Inulosucrase from microorganisms can use sucrose as the substrate to synthesize inulin possessing higher molecular weight than that from plants. In this work, a hypothetical gene coding inulosucrase was selected from the GenBank database. The catalytic domain was remained by N- and C- truncation strategies, constructing the recombinant plasmid. The recombinant plasmid was expressed in E. coli expression system, and after purifying the crude enzyme by Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography, a recombinant enzyme with a molecular weight of approximately 65 kDa was obtained. The optimal pH and temperature of the recombinant enzyme were 5.5 and 45 °C, respectively, when sucrose was used as the sole substrate. The activity of this enzyme was inhibited by various metal ions at different degrees. After purifying the produced polysaccharide, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis was used to determine that the polysaccharide was inulin connected by β-(2,1) linkages. Finally, the conditions for the production of inulin were optimized. The results showed that the inulin production reached the maximum, approximately 287 g/L after 7 h, when sucrose concentration and enzyme dosage were 700 g/L and 4 U/mL, respectively. The conversion rate from sucrose to inulin was approximately 41%.

Review: Effects of Dietary Fiber Levels and Composition on the Intestinal Health of Finishing Pigs

Despite the fact that dietary fiber is predominant in common feedstuff, its level in the diets of monogastrics has seen a proportional increment with the inclusion of co-products. The source and composition of DF could be liable for enormous varieties in their use. A study carried out by scientists proposed that three major components constitute gut health: the diet, the mucosa, and the commensal microbiota. 70% of total body immune cells constitute the gastrointestinal tract of pigs, therefore it is important that it is included when defining intestinal health. Gut health is of substantial importance in the maintenance of growth performance and overall health of monogastrics. The fermentation of DF results in SCFA which enhances mucosal epithelial proliferation and villus height. Nonetheless, supplementing dietary fiber to the diet in moderation may result in an increase in gut size, volume, length and morphological structure of pigs and other non-ruminants. Gut health maintenance exhibits a certain level of complexity and a subtle balance between mucosa, diet, the commensal microflora, including the digestive epithelium and along with mucous overlaying it. The microbial changes of dietary fiber to monosaccharides in the gut include various principal occasions (reactions) intervened by the enzymatic collection of particularized groups from the gut microbiota. Because fermentation is dependent upon source, structure and physio-chemical properties of dietary fiber, it is therefore of great importance to have as much data as possible on various types of dietary fiber and how intestinal health can be enhanced by them. Thus, there is growing evidence that dietary fiber may have prebiotic effects in pigs. In addition, dietary fiber in diets improves pigs well-being by increasing satiety, influencing behaviour and improving overall health. This review aims to shed more light on the dietary fiber levels and composition on the intestinal health of finishing pigs.

Food (Matrix) Effects on Bioaccessibility and Intestinal Permeability of Major Olive Antioxidants.

Background: olive pomace extract (OPE) is a rich source of health promoting polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol (HTS) and tyrosol (TS)) and can be used as a nutraceutical ingredient of dietary supplements and functional foods. Its adequate bioavailability is a prerequisite for excreting biological activity and can be significantly and specifically affected by different food matrices. Methods: in order to investigate food effects on polyphenol bioaccessibility, OPE was co-digested with different foods according to internationally harmonized in vitro digestibility method. Impact of particular nutrients on HTS and TS permeability was assessed on Caco-2 cell monolayer. Results: HTS and TS bioaccessibility and transepithelial permeability can be significantly affected by foods (nutrients), especially by casein and certain types of dietary fiber. Those effects are polyphenol-and nutrient-specific and are achieved either through complexation in gastrointestinal lumen and/or through direct effects of nutrients on intestinal monolayer. Conclusions: obtained results emphasize the significance and complexity of polyphenol interactions within the food matrix and the necessity of individual investigational approaches with respect to particular food/nutrient and interacting phenolic compounds.

Inulin supplementation ameliorates hyperuricemia and modulates gut microbiota in Uox-knockout mice

PurposeInulin is a type of fermentable dietary fiber, which is non-digestible, and can improve metabolic function by modulating intestinal microbiota. This study aimed to evaluate the role of inulin in hyperuricemia and microbial composition of the gut microbiota in a mouse model of hyperuricemia established through knockout of Uox (urate oxidase) gene.MethodsKO (Uox-knockout) and WT (wild-type) mice were given inulin or saline by gavage for 7 weeks. The effect of inulin to combat hyperuricemia was determined by assessing the changes in serum UA (uric acid) levels, inflammatory parameters, epithelial barrier integrity, fecal microbiota alterations, and SCFA (short-chain fatty acid) concentrations in KO mice.ResultsInulin supplementation can effectively alleviate hyperuricemia, increase the expressions of ABCG2 in intestine, and downregulate expression and activity of hepatic XOD (xanthine oxidase) in KO mice. It was revealed that the levels of inflammatory cytokines and the LPS (lipopolysaccharide) were remarkably higher in the KO group than those in the WT group, indicating systemic inflammation of hyperuricemic mice, but inulin treatment ameliorated inflammation in KO mice. Besides, inulin treatment repaired the intestinal epithelial barrier as evidenced by increased levels of intestinal TJ (tight junction) proteins [ZO-1 (zonula occludens-1) and occluding] in KO mice. Moreover, serum levels of uremic toxins, including IS (indoxyl sulfate) and PCS (p-cresol sulfate), were reduced in inulin-treated KO mice. Further investigation unveiled that inulin supplementation enhanced microbial diversity and raised the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, involving SCFAs-producing bacteria (e.g., Akkermansia and Ruminococcus). Additionally, inulin treatment increased the production of gut microbiota-derived SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate concentrations) in KO mice, which was positively correlated with the effectiveness of hyperuricemia relief.ConclusionsOur findings showed that inulin may be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia. Moreover, alleviation of hyperuricemia by inulin supplementation was, at least, partially conciliated by modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolites.

Oat bran and wheat bran impact net energy by shaping microbial communities and fermentation products in pigs fed diets with or without xylanase

BackgroundDietary fiber can be fermented in gut of pigs and the end products of fermentation were short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The SCFA had positive effects on gut bacteria and host immune system. In addition, SCFA can provide a part of available energy for pigs. However, there were limited reports on the relationship between dietary fiber, gut bacteria, and energy metabolism. Therefore, this study investigated how dietary fiber and enzyme addition impacted energy metabolism by acting on the microbial community and SCFA.MethodsWheat bran (WB) was added to the corn-soybean meal-based diet at the levels of 12% and 27%, and oat bran (OB) at 15% and 36%. One of each diet was supplemented with or without 5000 U/kg feed of xylanase, so a total of 10 diets were allotted to 60 growing pigs (initial body weight: 27.2 ± 1.2 kg) using a randomized complete block design. The experiment was conducted in 10 consecutive periods using 6 similar open-circuit respiration chambers. Each pig was used for one 20-day period. During each period, six pigs were allowed 14 d to adapt to the diets in metabolic cages followed by 6 d (from d 15 to d 20) in respiration chambers to measure heat production (HP).ResultsPigs fed 36% OB diets had greater (P < 0.05) nutrient digestibility and net energy (NE) values compared to those fed 27% WB diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed 27% WB diets compared with those fed 12% WB diets. Enzyme addition improved (P < 0.05) the NE values (11.37 vs. 12.43 MJ/kg DM) in diets with 27% WB. Supplementation of xylanase did not affect NE values for basal diets, OB diets and 12%WB diets. Compared with diets with 36% OB, pigs fed 27% WB-based diets excreted more total SCFA, acetate and propionate (expressed as g/kg feed DM) in fecal samples of pigs (P < 0.05). Pigs in the WB diets had greater proportion of phylum Bacteroidetes while phylum Firmicutes were greater in pigs fed OB diets (P < 0.05). Pigs fed WB diets had greater (P < 0.05) abundance of Succinivibrio and Prevotella, which were associated with fiber degradation and SCFA production.ConclusionOur results indicated diets supplied by high level of OB or WB promote the growth of fiber-degrading bacteria. The differences in fiber composition between WB and OB led to differences in nutrient digestibility and bacterial communities, which were ultimately reflected in energy metabolism. Enzyme supplementation improved nutrient digestibility as well as NE values for 27% WB diets but not for other diets, which indicated that effects of enzyme were related to type and level of dietary fiber in diets.