A Novel Prebiotic Blend Product Prevents Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Mice by Improving Gut Microbiota and Modulating Immune Response

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder yet it still lacks effective prevention therapies. The aim of this study is to determine whether a novel prebiotic blend (PB) composed of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS), inulin and anthocyanins could be effective in preventing the development of IBS. We explored the possible mechanisms both in animal and in cells. Post-infectious IBS models in C57BL/6 mice were established and were pretreated with the PB, PB and probiotic strains 8 weeks in advance of infection. Eight weeks after infection, intestinal tissues were collected for assessing histomorphology, visceral sensitivity, barrier function, pro-inflammatory cytokines expression and proteomics analysis. Fecal samples were also collected for microbiota analysis. The pro-inflammatory cytokines expression in Caco-2 cells were evaluated after co-incubation with PB and Salmonella typhimurium 14028. The results showed that PB significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines both in infected Caco-2 cells and PI-IBS models. The loss of body weight, decreased expression of tight junction protein Occludin (OCLN), and changes of the microbiota composition induced by infections could be greatly improved by PB intervention (p < 0.05). The proteomics analysis revealed that this function was associated with Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ pathway.

Mechanisms of Action of Prebiotics and Their Effects on Gastro-Intestinal Disorders in Adults

“…A recent study in vivo tested a blended prebiotic, which contains FOS, GOS, inulin and anthocyanidin (a class of polyphenols), on mice, and it showed an anti-inflammatory power on Caco-2 cells and in IBS symptoms by modulating microbiota. These results show that the synergistic action of more than one prebiotic could perhaps have greater effects on gastrointestinal symptoms [129]. A recent meta-analysis that evaluated the effects of FOS and GOS on IBS symptoms showed that both types of prebiotics did not have important effects on symptoms except for GOS that provided a significant effect on global IBS symptoms but not on abdominal pain [130] Moreover, psyllium is usually used in chronic constipation due to its capability to retain water in the small intestine, tinning the stool and increasing the defecation frequency [111].…”

Gut Microbiome Biomarkers in Adolescent Obesity: a Regional Study

“…In fact, some gut bacteria have been found with capacities of regulating PPARs. For example, mice artificially infected with Trichinella spiralis could induce a decrease in the levels of PPARγ in the colon, which is accompanied by a decline in beneficial species (such as Akkermansia ) and increase in pathogenic bacteria (such as Escherichia / Shigella ) (Chen et al 2017). Another pathway of importance that was differentially decreased in the obese adolescent was adipocytokine signaling.…”

In vitro digestibility and fermentability of fructo-oligosaccharides produced by Aspergillus ibericus

“…Human nutrition and health are intrinsically related with the efficiency of the gastrointestinal system. Through the active modulation of the colonic microbiota with a regular daily ingestion of prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), it has been possible to reduce a great number of pathophysiological disorders and associated chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (Chen et al, 2017), osteoporosis (Bryk et al, 2015), obesity (Whelan, Efthymiou, Judd, Preedy, & Taylor, 2006), metabolic syndrome and dyslipidaemia (Mallappa et al, 2012), immune system regulation (Frei, Akdis, & O'Mahony, 2015) and colon cancer (Pool-Zobel, 2005). FOS have been extensively used as prebiotics in diabetic, dietetic and infant foods (Al-Sheraji et al, 2013;Padma & Prabhasankar, 2014;Panesar, Kumari, & Panesar, 2013).…”