Supplementation of Fructooligosaccharide Mildly Improves the Iron Status of Anemic Rats Fed a Low-Iron Diet

Abstract

Also known as a prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) resists digestion by gastric acid and pancreatic enzymes in vivo, but is preferentially fermented by beneficial intestinal bacteria once it reaches the colon. While some studies suggest that FOS and its fermentation products may influence the iron absorption process, the effects of prolonged FOS supplementation on iron status remain unclear. The objective of this study was therefore to determine the enhancing effects of FOS supplementation on the iron status of anemic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving a low-iron diet (12 μg/g) for 14 days showed significantly lower hemoglobin concentration, as well as lower tissue non-heme iron levels than rats receiving a regular diet (45 μg/g), confirming iron-deficiency anemia. On the first day of the feeding trial, two groups of anemic rats (n = 6) were fed the same low-iron diet with or without FOS supplementation, while two other groups of anemic rats were switched to the regular diet with or without FOS supplementation to allow recovery. FOS was provided to the rats by dissolving in water at 5% (w/v). Anemic rats fed the low-iron diet showed a mild increase (p < 0.05) in hemoglobin level after 21 days of FOS supplementation when compared to rats without FOS. For anemic rats switched to the regular diet, hemoglobin level returned to normal after 14 days and FOS supplementation showed no additional effects. Our results suggest that FOS supplementation has a mild enhancing effect on the iron status of anemic subjects on a low-iron diet.

Effectiveness of inulin-type on the iron bioavailability in anemic female rats fed bio-yogurt

“…Therefore, the presented results conrmed that our formula fortied by iron and supplemented with inulin could signicantly increase the blood Hb content, in particular, long-chain inulin that had a good recovery effect on the Hb content. Zhang et al 60 conrmed that anemic rats fed the lowiron diet showed a mild increase (P # 0.05) in the hemoglobin level aer 21 days of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation when compared to rats without FOS.…”

Comparative Analysis of Lactulose and Fructooligosaccharide on Growth Kinetics, Fermentation, and Antioxidant Activity of Common Probiotics

“…Some reported benefits include enhanced immune system [5] and defense against pathogens [6], modulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production [7] and tight junction integrity [8], and mild improvement in iron status [9]. Proliferation of beneficial bacteria, usually lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, in the colon of the host may also be associated with reducing lipid peroxidation in colonic mucosa of intact mammals [10] [11].…”

Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Anemia

“…In another study, also in rats with iron deficiency anemia, it was shown that the addition of FOS in the group of rats fed an iron-deficient diet slightly improved bioavailability compared to the group without FOS. On the other hand, in the group fed a diet with proper iron content, the addition of FOS did not change the bioavailability of iron [ 40 ]. Moreover, Ohta et al, showed that FOS prevented anemia in totally gastrectomized rats [ 41 ] ( Table 2 ).…”