Inulin supplementation reduces the negative effect of a high-fat diet rich in SFA on bone health of growing pigs

Abstract

Consumption of a high-fat diet, rich in SFA, causes deterioration of bone properties. Some studies suggest that feeding inulin to animals may increase mineral absorption and positively affect bone quality; however, these studies have been carried out only on rodents fed a standard diet. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of inulin on bone health of pigs (using it as an animal model for humans) fed a high-fat diet rich in SFA, having an unbalanced ratio of lysine:metabolisable energy. It was hypothesised that inulin reduces the negative effects of such a diet on bone health. At 50 d of age, twenty-one pigs were randomly allotted to three groups: the control (C) group fed a standard diet, and two experimental (T and TI) groups fed a high-fat diet rich in SFA. Moreover, TI pigs consumed an extra inulin supply (7 % of daily feed intake). After 10 weeks, whole-body bone mineral content (P=0·0054) and bone mineral density (P=0·0322) were higher in pigs of groups TI and C compared with those of group T. Femur bone mineral density was highest in pigs in group C, lower in group TI and lowest in group T (P=0·001). Femurs of pigs in groups TI and C had similar, but higher, maximum strength compared with femurs of pigs in group T (P=0·0082). In conclusion, consumption of a high-fat diet rich in SFA adversely affected bone health, but inulin supplementation in such a diet diminishes this negative effect.

Beneficial effects of monounsaturated fatty acid‐rich blended oils with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and a low n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio on the health of rats

“…Bone health can also be affected by the quality and quantity of dietary fat. Diets high in SFAs have been shown to have a detrimental effect on bone health 69 . Additionally, the plant n‐3 PUFA ALA has a protective effect in bone because it reduces bone resorption 70,71 .…”

“…Diets high in SFAs have been shown to have a detrimental effect on bone health. 69 Additionally, the plant n-3 PUFA ALA has a protective effect in bone because it reduces bone resorption. 70,71 N-3 PUFA has also been shown to improve trabecular and cortical structure, stiff bones and bone quality.…”

The effect of inulin supply to high‐fat diet rich in saturated fatty acids on pork quality and profile of sarcoplasmic protein in meat exudate

“…Recently Zheng et al () showed that the addition of probiotics to the feed of broilers improved meat quality triggered by proteome alterations (especially the glycolytic proteins) and provided new knowledge about the mechanism as probiotics can improve poultry production. In our earlier study, it was found that inulin supply to high‐fat diet improved bone quality (Sobol, Raj, & Skiba, ). Some effect of inulin supplied to the standard diet on technological and sensory meat quality was shown, but the results are inconsistent or difficult to compare due to the differences in research methodology (Hansen, Agerhem, Rosenvold, & Jensen, ; Hansen et al, ; Rosenvold, Essén‐Gustavsson, & Andersen, ; Rosenvold, Lærke, et al, ; Rosenvold, Petersen, et al, ; Zammerini et al, ).…”

Inulin: properties and health benefits

“…Colonic fermentation of inulin produces short-chain fatty acids or additional organic acids that result in decreased pH values of the large intestine, thereby increasing the absorption of minerals, particularly calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). [123][124][125] However, the results whether inulin can improve the absorption of minerals are still controversial. In early studies, most of the studies were believed that inulin was able to improve the absorption rate of minerals in humans, while other research studies certified that inulin has no significant influence on minerals.…”

“…Inulin seemed to have weakened this negative effect of such high-fat diet rich in SFA on bone health. 123 Besides, the degree of polymerization of inulin had some influence on the absorption of minerals. Recent research demonstrated a higher level of copper, iron, and zinc in the blood of pigs when fed with long-chain inulin rather than short-chain inulin, and 20 g kg −1 diet of inulin was known as the most suitable level to improve trace element absorption.…”