PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Jun 19 ;10(6):3660-3670. PMID: 31166330

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects ofα-galacto-oligosaccharides against a high-fat/western-style diet-induced metabolic abnormalities in mice.

Abstract: 

In this study, we investigated the effects of a newly synthesizedα-galacto-oligosaccharide mixture (α-GOSg), 0.5% in drinking water, on high-fat/western-style diet (HFWD)-induced metabolic abnormality in mice in a study of 13 weeks. Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs) were included as a comparison. Mice treated with α-GOSg had significantly lower body weight and body fat (p

read more

PMID: 

Am J Med Sci. 2017 03 ;353(3):282-292. Epub 2016 Oct 4. PMID: 28262216

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Prebiotics and Synbiotics on Functional Constipation.

Abstract: 

The objective was to determine the effects of prebiotics and synbiotics on adults with functional constipation (FC). Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for literature published up to February 2015. We selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported administration of prebiotics or synbiotics to adults with FC. The end points included stool frequency, stool consistency and other symptoms related to constipation. Mean differences (MD) or standard mean differences (SMD) were used for continuous outcomes and risk ratios for discontinuous outcomes using a random-effects model. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to determine the quality of the trials. Funnel plots and Egger's test were used to analyze for publication bias. We included 5 RCTs involving 199 patients who were administered prebiotics and 8 RCTs involving 825 patients who were administered synbiotics. Prebiotics increased weekly stool frequency (MD: 1.01bowel movements/week, 95% CI: 0.04-1.99) and improved stool consistency (SMD: -0.59, 95% CI: -1.16 to -0.02). Subgroup analysis showed specific effects for galacto-oligosaccharides on stool frequency, consistency, ease of defecation and abdominal pain. Synbiotics significantly improved stool frequency (MD: 1.15bowel movements/week, 95% CI: 0.58-1.71), consistency (SMD: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.33-0.92) and reduced whole-gut transit time (MD: 13.52, 95% CI: -26.56 to -0.49) in patients with FC. Subgroup analysis showed specific effects for fructo-oligosaccharides and probiotic combinations on stool frequency, consistency, straining defecation and bloating. Galacto-oligosaccharides and synbiotics made up of fructo-oligosaccharides with probiotic combinations may improve stool frequency, consistency and some other symptoms related to constipation.

read more

PMID: 

PLoS One. 2017 ;12(6):e0175406. Epub 2017 Jun 20. PMID: 28632732

Abstract Title: 

Fructo-oligosaccharides and intestinal barrier function in a methionine-choline-deficient mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Abstract: 

Impairments in intestinal barrier function, epithelial mucins, and tight junction proteins have been reported to be associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharides restore balance in the gastrointestinal microbiome. This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharides on intestinal barrier function and steatohepatitis in methionine-choline-deficient mice. Three groups of 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were studied for 3 weeks; specifically, mice were fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet, a methionine-choline-deficient diet plus 5% fructo-oligosaccharides in water, or a normal control diet. Fecal bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were investigated. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed using mice livers for CD14 and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) expression and intestinal tissue samples for IgA and zonula occludens-1 expression in epithelial tight junctions. The methionine-choline-deficient mice administered 5% fructo-oligosaccharides maintained a normal gastrointestinal microbiome, whereas methionine-choline-deficient mice without prebiotic supplementation displayed increases in Clostridium cluster XI and subcluster XIVa populations and a reduction in Lactobacillales spp. counts. Methionine-choline-deficient mice given 5% fructo-oligosaccharides exhibited significantly decreased hepatic steatosis (p = 0.003), decreased liver inflammation (p = 0.005), a decreased proportion of CD14-positive Kupffer cells (p = 0.01), decreased expression of TLR4 (p = 0.04), and increases in fecal short-chain fatty acid and IgA concentrations (p

read more

PMID: 

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2017 ;174(3-4):121-132. Epub 2017 Nov 17. PMID: 29145201

Abstract Title: 

Dietary Fructo-Oligosaccharides Attenuate Early Activation of CD4+ T Cells Which Produce both Th1 and Th2 Cytokines in the Intestinal Lymphoid Tissues of a Murine Food Allergy Model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotic agents with immunomodulatory effects involving improvement of the intestinal microbiota and metabolome. In this study, we investigated the cellular mechanisms through which FOS modulate intestinal antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses in food allergy, using OVA23-3 mice.METHODS: OVA23-3 mice were fed an experimental diet containing either ovalbumin (OVA) or OVA and FOS for 1 week. Body weight and mucosal mast cell protease 1 in the serum were measured as the indicator of intestinal inflammation. Single-cell suspensions were prepared from intestinal and systemic lymphoid tissues for cellular analysis. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA. Activation markers and intracellular cytokines in CD4+ T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Activated CD4+ T cells were purified to examine cytokine production.RESULTS: Dietary intake of FOS provided moderate protection from the intestinal inflammation induced by the OVA-containing diet. FOS significantly reduced food allergy-induced Th2 cytokine responses in intestinal tissues but not in systemic tissues. FOS decreased OVA diet-induced IFN-γ+IL-4+ double-positive CD4+ T cells and early-activated CD45RBhighCD69+CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Furthermore, we confirmed that these CD45RBhighCD69+CD4+ T cells are able to produce high levels of IFN-γ and moderate level of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13.CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intake of FOS during the development of food allergy attenuates the induction of intestinal Th2 cytokine responses by regulating early activation of naïve CD4+ T cells, which produce both Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Our results suggest FOS might be a potential food agent for the prevention of food allergy by modulating oral sensitization to food antigens.

read more

PMID: 

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2018 ;15:9. Epub 2018 Jan 25. PMID: 29416552

Abstract Title: 

Fructo-oligosaccharides and glucose homeostasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis in animal models.

Abstract: 

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effect of fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation on glucose homeostasis. The search process was based on the selection of publications listed in the Pubmed-Medline database until April 2016 to identify studies evaluating the impact of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides or oligofructose on glucose homeostasis. Twenty-nine trials were included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis was performed on twelve of these papers according to the inclusion criteria. Fasting blood concentrations of glucose and insulin were selected as pertinent criteria of glucose homeostasis for the meta-analysis. The consumption of fructo-oligosaccharides decreased fasting blood glycaemia levels, whatever the metabolic status (healthy, obese or diabetic) and diet (low-fat or high-fat) throughout the experiment. This reduction was linear with prebiotic dose (from 0 to 13% of the feed). Fasting insulinaemia also decreased linearly with fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation but the reduction was only significant in rodents fed a low-fat diet. Potential underlying mechanisms include gut bacterial fermentation of fructo-oligosaccharides to short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bacterial modulation of bile acids, both interacting with host metabolism. This systemic review, followed by the meta-analysis, provides evidence that fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation has a significant effect on glucose homeostasis whatever the health status and diet consumed by animals.

read more

PMID: 

Front Immunol. 2018 ;9:1265. Epub 2018 Jun 11. PMID: 29942305

Abstract Title: 

Non-Digestible Oligosaccharides Can Suppress Basophil Degranulation in Whole Blood of Peanut-Allergic Patients.

Abstract: 

Background: Dietary non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have a protective effect against allergic manifestations in children at risk. Dietary intervention with NDOs promotes the colonization of beneficial bacteria in the gut and enhances serum galectin-9 levels in mice and atopic children. Next to this, NDOs also directly affect immune cells and low amounts may reach the blood. We investigated whether pre-incubation of whole blood from peanut-allergic patients with NDOs or galectin-9 can affect basophil degranulation.Methods: Heparinized blood samples from 15 peanut-allergic adult patients were pre-incubated with a mixture of short-chain galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scGOS/lcFOS), scFOS/lcFOS, or galectin-9 (1 or 5 µg/mL) at 37°C in the presence of IL-3 (0.75 ng/mL). After 2, 6, or 24 h, a basophil activation test was performed. Expression of FcεRI on basophils, plasma cytokine, and chemokine concentrations before degranulation were determined after 24 h.Results: Pre-incubation with scGOS/lcFOS, scFOS/lcFOS, or galectin-9 reduced anti-IgE-mediated basophil degranulation. scFOS/lcFOS or 5 µg/mL galectin-9 also decreased peanut-specific basophil degranulation by approximately 20%, mainly in whole blood from female patients. Inhibitory effects were not related to diminished FcεRI expression on basophils. Galectin-9 was increased in plasma after pre-incubation with scGOS/lcFOS, andboth NDOs and 5 µg/mL galectin-9 increased MCP-1 production.Conclusion and clinical relevance: The prebiotic mixture scFOS/lcFOS and galectin-9 can contribute to decreased degranulation of basophilsin peanut-allergic patients. The exact mechanism needs to be elucidated, but these NDOs might be useful in reducing allergic symptoms.

read more

PMID: 

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018 10 ;62(20):e1800369. Epub 2018 Aug 31. PMID: 30102006

Abstract Title: 

Dietary Supplementation with Nondigestible Oligosaccharides Reduces Allergic Symptoms and Supports Low Dose Oral Immunotherapy in a Peanut Allergy Mouse Model.

Abstract: 

SCOPE: A major downside of oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy is the risk of severe side effects. Non-digestible short- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS/lcFOS) reduce allergy development in murine models. Therefore, it is hypothesized that scFOS/lcFOS can also support the efficacy of OIT in a peanut allergy model.METHODS AND RESULTS: After sensitization to peanut extract (PE) using cholera toxin, C3H/HeOuJ mice are fed a 1% scFOS/lcFOS or control diet and receive OIT (1.5 or 15 mg PE). Hereafter, mice are exposed to PE via different routes to determine the safety and efficacy of treatment in clinical outcomes, PE-specific antibody production, and numbers of various immune cells. scFOS/lcFOS increases short-chain fatty acid levels in the caecum and reduce the acute allergic skin response and drop in body temperature after PE exposure. Interestingly, 15 mg and 1.5 mg OIT with scFOS/lcFOS induce protection against anaphylaxis, whereas 1.5 mg OIT alone does not. OIT, with or without scFOS/lcFOS, induces PE-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) IgG and IgA levels and increases CD103+ dendritic cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes.CONCLUSIONS: scFOS/lcFOS and scFOS/lcFOS combined with low dose OIT are able to protect against a peanut-allergic anaphylactic response.

read more

PMID: 

Sci Rep. 2019 Apr 2 ;9(1):5473. Epub 2019 Apr 2. PMID: 30940833

Abstract Title: 

A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response relationship study to investigate efficacy of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on human gut microflora.

Abstract: 

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), a prebiotic supplement, is known for its Bifidogenic capabilities. However, aspects such as effect of variable quantities of FOS intake on gut microbiota, and temporal dynamics of gut microbiota (transitioning through basal, dosage, and follow-up phases) has not been studied in detail. This study investigated these aspects through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response relationship study. The study involved 80 participants being administered FOS at three dose levels (2.5, 5, and 10 g/day) or placebo (Maltodextrin 10 g/day) during dosage phase. Microbial DNA extracted from fecal samples collected at 9 intervening time-points was sequenced and analysed. Results indicate that FOS consumption increased the relative abundance of OTUs belonging to Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Interestingly, higher FOS dosage appears to promote, in contrast to Maltodextrin, the selective proliferation of OTUs belonging to Lactobacillus. While consumption of prebiotics increased bacterial diversity, withdrawal led to its reduction. Apart from probiotic bacteria, a significant change was also observed in certain butyrate-producing microbes like Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus and Oscillospira. The positive impact of FOS on butyrate-producing bacteria and FOS-mediated increased bacterial diversity reinforces the role of prebiotics in conferring beneficial functions to the host.

read more

PMID: 

J Nutr Biochem. 2020 Jan ;75:108247. Epub 2019 Oct 28. PMID: 31707282

Abstract Title: 

Prebiotic effect of fructo-oligosaccharides on the inner ear of DBA/2 J mice with early-onset progressive hearing loss.

Abstract: 

Nutrition and dietary habits contribute to the onset and progression of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are non-digestible oligosaccharides and are known as prebiotics, which enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and antioxidant activity. Although a substantial number of studies have shown that FOS play a role in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases as prebiotics, little is known about the effects on the inner ear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of FOS on gene expression and spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) protection in the inner ear of DBA/2 J mice, which is a model for early-onset progressive hearing loss. DBA/2 J mice were fed either control diet or FOS diet contained 10% (w/w) of FOS for 8 weeks. Analysis of mice fed the FOS diet revealed a change in intestinal flora including an inversion of the ratio of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, which was followed by a significant increase in SCFAs in the cecum and a decrease in an oxidative stress marker in the serum. In the inner ear, gene expression of neurotrophin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor b (Trkb), and the SCFA receptor, free fatty acid receptor 3 (FFAR3), were increased by FOS. In addition, the survival rate of SGNs in the inner ear was maintained in FOS-fed mice. Altogether, these results suggest that a compositional variation of the intestinal flora due to a prebiotic effect may be involved in the progression of SNHL.

read more

PMID: 

J Int Med Res. 2019 Dec 31:300060519896714. Epub 2019 Dec 31. PMID: 31891285

Abstract Title: 

Fructo-oligosaccharides lower serum lipid levels and suppress high-fat/high-sugar diet-induced inflammation by elevating serum and gut levels of short-chain fatty acids.

Abstract: 

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on serum lipid levels and to determine the mechanisms underlying these effects and the potential role of inflammation.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice received a normal diet, a high-fat/high-sugar (HFS) diet, or an HFS diet supplemented with 10% FOS for 10 weeks. In vivo intestinal and serum short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels were measured by gas chromatography. In vivo serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were also measured. Lipid accumulation was visualized. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated and apoptosis was quantified.

Results

FOS reversed in vivo HFS-induced lipid accumulation in the liver. An HFS diet increased ALT, AST, TC, TG, and LDL serum levels, decreased HDL serum levels, and increased IL-6, TNF-α, 8-OHdG, and MDA levels. These changes were reduced by FOS. FOS also increased intestinal and serum levels of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In vitro, SCFAs ameliorated palmitic acid-induced ROS production and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

FOS supplementation lowers serum lipid levels and ameliorates HFS-induced inflammation by upregulating SCFAs.

read more