The Impact of Fructo-Oligosaccharides on Gut Permeability and Inflammatory Responses in the Cecal Mucosa Quite Differs between Rats Fed Semi-Purified and Non-Purified Diets

Abstract

The effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on gut-barrier function are still controversial in human and animal studies. Diet conditions would be a major factor for the controversy in animal studies. We fed rats a semi-purified (SP) or a non-purified diet (NP) with or without FOS (60 g/kg diet) for 9 (experiment 1) or 10 d (experiment 2). We assessed microbial fermentation, gut permeability, and inflammatory responses in the cecum (experiment 1), and mucus layer in the cecum, intestinal transit time and microbiota composition (experiment 2). FOS supplementation induced a very acidic fermentation due to the accumulation of lactate and succinate in SP, while short-chain fatty acids were major products in NP. Gut permeability estimated by urinary chromium-EDTA excretion, bacterial translocation into mesenteric lymph nodes, myeloperoxidase activity, and expressions of the inflammatory cytokine genes in the cecal mucosa were greater in SP1FOS than in SP, but these alterations were not observed between NP and NP1FOS (experiment 1). FOS supplementation destroyed the mucus layer on the epithelial surface in SP, but not in NP. Intestinal transit time was 3-fold longer in SP1FOS than in SP, but this was not the case between NP and NP1FOS. Lower species richness of cecal microbiota was manifest solely in SP1FOS (experiment 2). These factors suggest that impact of FOS on gut permeability and inflammatory responses in the cecal mucosa quite differs between SP and NP. Increased gut permeability in SP1FOS could be evoked by the disruption of the mucus layer due to stasis of the very acidic luminal contents.

Low-Dose Stevia (Rebaudioside A) Consumption Perturbs Gut Microbiota and the Mesolimbic Dopamine Reward System

“…Contrary to what has been shown in other studies [60,61,62], cecal SCFA concentrations were reduced in prebiotic-consuming animals despite increases in Bifidobacterium taxa and greater cecal weight. However, one study demonstrated that prebiotic supplementation (fructo-oligosaccharide; FOS) with a nonpurified diet (chow) or semipurified diet (AIN-93) affected cecal SCFA concentrations differently as a result of alternative dietary ingredients in each formula [63]. Authors noted that nonpurified chow contained more nondigestible ingredients, including corn and wheat bran, whereas the semipurified diet contained refined and digestible ingredients, such as casein and corn oil, and may account for the reduced SCFA levels produced when FOS was added to the semipurified versus nonpurified diet [63].…”

“…However, one study demonstrated that prebiotic supplementation (fructo-oligosaccharide; FOS) with a nonpurified diet (chow) or semipurified diet (AIN-93) affected cecal SCFA concentrations differently as a result of alternative dietary ingredients in each formula [63]. Authors noted that nonpurified chow contained more nondigestible ingredients, including corn and wheat bran, whereas the semipurified diet contained refined and digestible ingredients, such as casein and corn oil, and may account for the reduced SCFA levels produced when FOS was added to the semipurified versus nonpurified diet [63]. Therefore, our use of a prebiotic-enriched semipurified diet may have led to lower cecal SCFA concentration than normally expected.…”

Metagenomic Insights into the Effects of Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on the Composition of Luminal and Mucosal Microbiota in C57BL/6J Mice, Especially the Bifidobacterium Composition

“…In addition to SCFAs, lactate and succinate might be produced after FOS fermentation. The gut permeability and inflammatory responses might be impacted due to stasis of the acidic environment [23].…”

Metabolomics and 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing Analyses of Changes in the Intestinal Flora and Biomarkers Induced by Gastrodia-Uncaria Treatment in a Rat Model of Chronic Migraine

“…Studying the response of microbial communities in the face of interference is critical to health (Costello et al, 2012), not only because the gut microbiota may change under disease conditions but also because the microbiota is affected by drugs administered to maintain host health . It is increasingly recognized that the therapeutic effects of natural products on disease may be achieved through drug-microbial interactions, indicating the importance of research into the effects of drugs on microbial metabolism (Genda et al, 2018). In this study, we first determined the changes in the structure and function of the gut microbiota in a rat model of CMG.…”