Comparison of the Activity of Fecal Enzymes and Concentration of SCFA in Healthy and Overweight Children

Abstract

In modern societies obesity has become a serious issue which must be urgently addressed. The health implications of neglected obesity are substantial, as not only does it affect individuals’ everyday lives, but it also leads to significantly increased mortality due to the development of several disorders such as type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and depression. The objective of this research was to investigate the alterations in selected health markers caused by overweight and obesity in children. The measured parameters were the activity of the fecal enzymes, the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and the concentration of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs). The activity of the fecal enzymes, specifically α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, and β-glucuronidase, was determined using spectrophotometry at a wavelength of 400 nm. Furthermore, concentrations of lactic acid, SCFAs (formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, and valeric acids), and BCFAs (isobutyric and isovaleric acids) were determined using the HPLC method. The obtained results reveal that obese children have different fecal enzyme activity and a different profile of fatty acids from children of normal weight. The group of obese children, when compared to children of normal weight, had increased concentrations of BCFAs (p < 0.05) and higher activity of potentially harmful enzymes such as β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase (p < 0.05). In comparison, children of normal weight exhibited significantly increased concentrations of lactic acid and SCFAs (especially formic and butyric acids) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, their α-glucosidase and α-galactosidase activity were higher when compared to the group of obese children (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the prevalence of obesity has a significant impact on metabolites produced in the gastrointestinal tract, which might result in a higher chance of developing serious diseases.

Nutrition, Metabolites, and Human Health

“…In light of the concerning rise in childhood obesity, Śli żewska and colleagues demonstrated differences in the activity of fecal enzymes and profiles of fatty acids (short-chain fatty acids, branchedchain fatty acids) between obese children and those of normal weight. These results confirm the adverse metabolic effects associated with obesity, which can lead to the development of chronic diseases [6].…”

Effect of Chromium Nanoparticles and Switching from a High-Fat to a Low-Fat Diet on the Cecal Microenvironment in Obese Rats

“…The same effect was observed for the activity of α- and β-glucosidase and α- and β-galactosidase. These enzymes assist in the hydrolysis of indigestible oligosaccharides derived from the diet and, thus, indirectly affect the supply of substrate for the synthesis of bacterial SCFAs in the intestine [ 43 ]. Moreover, low galactosidase activity may increase colonic fermentation and gas production, which is undesirable, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome [ 44 ].…”

“…In the rats under the M dietary treatment, considerably lower concentrations of CA and DCA were found in the cecum. These bile acids had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of potentially prebiotic bacterial strains, e.g., Lactobacillus casei , Clostridium butyricum , and Bacillus mesentericus [ 2 ], which are SCFA-producing strains and exhibit increased enzymatic activity for the hydrolysis of oligosaccharides [ 43 ]. Therefore, the reduction in DCA and CA through switching from a high-fat diet to a standard diet may partially explain the increased activity of β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, and β-xylosidase in the cecum.…”

Obesity-associated inflammation countered by a Mediterranean diet: the role of gut-derived metabolites

“…Few studies have examined SCFA levels in children with obesity, however, within the last 5 years, two studies showed increased fecal SCFA concentrations ( 118 , 119 ), while one study showed fecal SCFAs were reduced ( 120 ) in children with obesity. The differences in study results may be due to study design and inclusion criteria, as Wei et al and Gyarmati et al excluded volunteers who had received antibiotic, prebiotic, or probiotic treatments within the last 3 months before the studies, while the study by Slizewska et al did not ( 118 – 120 ).…”