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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024A healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been shown to be essential for proper nutrient absorption and metabolism, maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity...
INTRODUCTION
A healthy gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome has been shown to be essential for proper nutrient absorption and metabolism, maintenance of intestinal epithelial integrity and osmolarity, gut immunomodulation, and overall health. One of the most effective ways to promote a healthy GI microbiome is through dietary interventions, such as the addition of prebiotics. Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by the host GI microbiome through fermentation to confer a health benefit. However, research on prebiotics in companion animals is limited, especially in growing animals. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the effects of a novel prebiotic fiber blend on key parameters related to intestinal health and growth in puppies.
METHODS
Twenty-two puppies at least 4 months of age but not older than 10 months were fed a commercially available dry food during a prefeed period, and then fed a similarly formulated test food with the addition of the prebiotic fiber blend for a minimum of 90 days. Serum and fecal samples were collected at the end of the prefeed period and throughout the test period.
RESULTS
Puppies fed the test food grew as expected for puppies of this age. Complete blood count and serum chemistry analyses were clinically normal for all animals. Fecal score increased linearly, fecal moisture decreased linearly, and pH exhibited a cubic trend throughout the study duration. There was a linear increase in short-chain fatty acids throughout the study, which is associated with favorable digestive and overall health. The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-7 decreased linearly and interleukin-18 trended towards linear decrease.
CONCLUSION
This study showed that puppies continued to grow and develop normally, and experienced serum and stool characteristics indicative of improved GI health when fed a growth food fortified with a novel prebiotic fiber blend. Furthermore, these results contribute to the overall understanding of the effects of prebiotics on the GI health of growing companion animals.
PubMed: 38872806
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1409394 -
Nature Food Jun 2024Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a diverse class of carbohydrates which support the health and development of infants. The vast health benefits of HMOs have made...
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are a diverse class of carbohydrates which support the health and development of infants. The vast health benefits of HMOs have made them a commercial target for microbial production; however, producing the approximately 200 structurally diverse HMOs at scale has proved difficult. Here we produce a diversity of HMOs by leveraging the robust carbohydrate anabolism of plants. This diversity includes high-value and complex HMOs, such as lacto-N-fucopentaose I. HMOs produced in transgenic plants provided strong bifidogenic properties, indicating their ability to serve as a prebiotic supplement with potential applications in adult and infant health. Technoeconomic analyses demonstrate that producing HMOs in plants provides a path to the large-scale production of specific HMOs at lower prices than microbial production platforms. Our work demonstrates the promise in leveraging plants for the low-cost and sustainable production of HMOs.
Topics: Oligosaccharides; Humans; Milk, Human; Plants, Genetically Modified; Prebiotics; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38872016
DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00996-x -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2024Obesity is a multi-factorial disease frequently associated with poor nutritional habits and linked to many detrimental health outcomes. Individuals with obesity are more...
INTRODUCTION
Obesity is a multi-factorial disease frequently associated with poor nutritional habits and linked to many detrimental health outcomes. Individuals with obesity are more likely to have increased levels of persistent inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation. The goal of this study was to compare four dietary patterns differentiated by macronutrient content in a postmenopausal model. Dietary patterns were high carbohydrate (HC), high fat (HF), high carbohydrate plus high fat (HCHF), and high protein (HP) with higher fiber.
METHODS
Changes in body weight and glucose levels were measured in female, ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice after 15 weeks of feeding. One group of five mice fed the HCHF diet was crossed over to the HP diet on day 84, modeling a 21-day intervention. In a follow-up study comparing the HCHF versus HP dietary patterns, systemic changes in inflammation, using an 80-cytokine array and metabolism, by untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS)-based metabolomics were evaluated.
RESULTS
Only the HF and HCHF diets resulted in obesity, shown by significant differences in body weights compared to the HP diet. Body weight gains during the two-diet follow-up study were consistent with the four-diet study. On Day 105 of the 4-diet study, glucose levels were significantly lower for mice fed the HP diet than for those fed the HC and HF diets. Mice switched from the HCHF to the HP diet lost an average of 3.7 grams by the end of the 21-day intervention, but this corresponded with decreased food consumption. The HCHF pattern resulted in dramatic inflammatory dysregulation, as all 80 cytokines were elevated significantly in the livers of these mice after 15 weeks of HCHF diet exposure. Comparatively, only 32 markers changed significantly on the HP diet (24 up, 8 down). Metabolic perturbations in several endogenous biological pathways were also observed based on macronutrient differences and revealed dysfunction in several nutritionally relevant biosynthetic pathways.
CONCLUSION
Overall, the HCHF diet promoted detrimental impacts and changes linked to several diseases, including arthritis or breast neoplasms. Identification of dietary pattern-specific impacts in this model provides a means to monitor the effects of disease risk and test interventions to prevent poor health outcomes through nutritional modification.
PubMed: 38868554
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1356038 -
IMeta Feb 2024Consumption of dietary fiber and anthocyanin has been linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study scrutinizes the potential antitumorigenic...
Consumption of dietary fiber and anthocyanin has been linked to a lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study scrutinizes the potential antitumorigenic attributes of a black rice diet (BRD), abundantly rich in dietary fiber and anthocyanin. Our results demonstrate notable antitumorigenic effects in mice on BRD, indicated by a reduction in both the size and number of intestinal tumors and a consequent extension in life span, compared to control diet-fed counterparts. Furthermore, fecal transplants from BRD-fed mice to germ-free mice led to a decrease in colonic cell proliferation, coupled with maintained integrity of the intestinal barrier. The BRD was associated with significant shifts in gut microbiota composition, specifically an augmentation in probiotic strains and . Noteworthy changes in gut metabolites were also documented, including the upregulation of indole-3-lactic acid and indole. These metabolites have been identified to stimulate the intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway, inhibiting CRC cell proliferation and colorectal tumorigenesis. In summary, these findings propose that a BRD may modulate the progression of intestinal tumors by fostering protective gut microbiota and metabolite profiles. The study accentuates the potential health advantages of whole-grain foods, emphasizing the potential utility of black rice in promoting health.
PubMed: 38868519
DOI: 10.1002/imt2.165 -
IMeta Feb 2024Bioactive dietary fiber has been proven to confer numerous health benefits against metabolic diseases based on the modification of gut microbiota. The metabolic...
Bioactive dietary fiber has been proven to confer numerous health benefits against metabolic diseases based on the modification of gut microbiota. The metabolic protective effects of glucomannan have been previously reported in animal experiments and clinical trials. However, critical microbial signaling metabolites and the host targets associated with the metabolic benefits of glucomannan remain elusive. The results of this study revealed that glucomannan supplementation alleviated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance in mice and that its beneficial effects were dependent on the gut microbiota. Administration of glucomannan to mice promoted the growth of . Moreover, colonization with in HFD-fed mice resulted in a decrease in insulin resistance, accompanied by improved intestinal barrier integrity and reduced systemic inflammation. Furthermore, -derived indoleacetic acid (IAA) was established as a key bioactive metabolite that fortifies intestinal barrier function via activation of intestinal aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), leading to an amelioration in insulin resistance. Thus, we conclude that glucomannan acts through the -IAA-intestinal AhR axis to relieve insulin resistance.
PubMed: 38868507
DOI: 10.1002/imt2.163 -
Access Microbiology 2024Even though dietary fibres are often used as prebiotic supplements in dogs, the effect of individual types of fibres on canine microbiota composition is unknown. The...
Microbiota of healthy dogs demonstrate a significant decrease in richness and changes in specific bacterial groups in response to supplementation with resistant starch, but not psyllium or methylcellulose, in a randomized cross-over trial.
Even though dietary fibres are often used as prebiotic supplements in dogs, the effect of individual types of fibres on canine microbiota composition is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess changes in faecal microbiota richness, diversity and taxonomic abundance with three different fibre supplements in dogs. These were psyllium husk, resistant starch from banana flour and methylcellulose. They were administered to 17 healthy dogs in a cross-over trial after transition to the same complete feed. Faecal scores and clinical activity indices were recorded, and faecal samples were collected before and at the end of supplementation, as well as 2 weeks after each supplement (washout). Illumina NovaSeq paired-end 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on all samples. After quality control and chimera removal, alpha diversity indices were calculated with QIIME. Differences in specific taxa between groups were identified using Metastats. Methylcellulose significantly increased faecal scores but had no effect on microbiota. Psyllium resulted in minor changes in the abundance of specific taxa, but with questionable biological significance. Resistant starch reduced microbiota richness and resulted in the most abundant changes in taxa, mostly a reduction in short-chain fatty acid-producing genera of the phylum , with an increase in genera within the , , and . In conclusion, while psyllium and methylcellulose led to few changes in the microbiota composition, the taxonomic changes seen with resistant starch may indicate a less favourable composition. Based on this, the type of resistant starch used here cannot be recommended as a prebiotic in dogs.
PubMed: 38868374
DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000774.v4 -
Journal of Renal Nutrition : the... Jun 2024The benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving...
The benefits of dietary fiber are widely accepted. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of children fail to meet the recommended intake of dietary fiber. Achieving adequate fiber intake is especially challenging in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). An international team of pediatric renal dietitians and pediatric nephrologists from The Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) has developed clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for the dietary intake of fiber in children and adolescents with CKD. In this CPR paper, we propose a definition of fiber, provide advice on the requirements and assessment of fiber intake, and offer practical guidance on optimizing dietary fiber intake in children with CKD. In addition, given the paucity of available evidence and to achieve consensus from international experts, a Delphi survey was performed in which all the clinical practice recommendations were reviewed.
PubMed: 38866350
DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2024.05.008 -
Gut Microbes 2024Dietary fiber supplements are a strategy to close the 'fiber gap' and induce targeted modulations of the gut microbiota. However, higher doses of fiber supplements cause... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Dietary fiber supplements are a strategy to close the 'fiber gap' and induce targeted modulations of the gut microbiota. However, higher doses of fiber supplements cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that differ among individuals. What determines these inter-individual differences is insufficiently understood. Here we analyzed findings from a six-week randomized controlled trial that evaluated GI symptoms to corn bran arabinoxylan (AX; = 15) relative to non-fermentable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; = 16) at efficacious supplement doses of 25 g/day (females) or 35 g/day (males) in adults with excess weight. Self-reported flatulence, bloating, and stomach aches were evaluated weekly. Bacterial taxa involved in AX fermentation were identified by bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging. Associations between GI symptoms, fecal microbiota features, and diet history were systematically investigated. AX supplementation increased symptoms during the first three weeks relative to MCC ( < 0.05, Mann-Whitney tests), but subjects 'adapted' with symptoms reverting to baseline levels toward the end of treatment. Symptom adaptations were individualized and correlated with the relative abundance of at baseline (r = 0.74, = 0.002), within the bacterial community that utilized AX (r = 0.69, = 0.006), and AX-induced shifts in acetate (r = 0.54, = 0.039). Lower baseline consumption of animal-based foods and higher whole grains associated with less severity and better adaptation. These findings suggest that humans do 'adapt' to tolerate efficacious fiber doses, and this process is linked to their microbiome and dietary factors known to interact with gut microbes, providing a basis for the development of strategies for improved tolerance of dietary fibers.
Topics: Xylans; Humans; Feces; Male; Female; Dietary Fiber; Middle Aged; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Bifidobacterium longum; Adult; Dietary Supplements; Fermentation; Aged; Adaptation, Physiological
PubMed: 38860973
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2363021 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2024Nutrients are crucial for dialysis patients, especially elderly patients. Nutrition-related complications in dialysis patients are often closely related to...
BACKGROUND
Nutrients are crucial for dialysis patients, especially elderly patients. Nutrition-related complications in dialysis patients are often closely related to cardiovascular aging. However, we know little about the effect of different nutrients on the commonly used outcome predictor, health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Therefore, this study investigated the associations between different nutrients and HRQOL among dialysis patients.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 123 dialysis adults at multiple dialysis centers. The Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) assesses HRQOL. Modified quantitative subjective global assessment (MQSGA) evaluates nutritional status. A 3-day dietary record evaluated nutrient intakes.
RESULTS
Among the 123 participants, 79 received hemodialysis (HD), and 44 were on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients with PD had a higher SF-36 score than HD (525 ± 136 vs. 375 ± 179, < 0.001). A negative association between nutrition status and HRQOL was observed in HD (regression coefficient = -17.4, < 0.001) but not in PD ( = -12.3, = 0.07). For HD patients, the nutrition status was negatively correlated with intakes of carbohydrates, fiber, selenium, copper, and Manganese ( = -0.02, = 0.032; = -0.3, = 0.031; = -0.1, = 0.006; = -2.3, = 0.025; = -1.3, = 0.003, respectively). Their HRQOL was positively associated with calories, fat, niacin, and vitamin E ( = 2.19, = 0.035; = 2.4, = 0.043; = 8.5, = 0.044; = 6.9, = 0.017, respectively). Conversely, for patients with PD, only vitamin B2 was found to be adversely correlated with their nutritional status ( = -5.2, = 0.037), and increased intakes of vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber ( = 0.1, = 0.031; = 0.8, = 0.028; = 15.8, = 0.045, respectively) were associated with a better HRQOL.
CONCLUSIONS
The nutritional intake of PD patients and HD patients affects their quality of life differently. Macronutrients significantly impact HRQOL in HD patients, while vitamins have a more substantial impact on PD patients.
PubMed: 38859815
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1407650 -
Nutrition & Metabolism Jun 2024Hyperuricemia could be a risk for various chronic diseases, and it could be largely corrected by diet control. This study was a nationwide cross-sectional study to...
BACKGROUND
Hyperuricemia could be a risk for various chronic diseases, and it could be largely corrected by diet control. This study was a nationwide cross-sectional study to investigate the association between serum uric acid level and dietary fiber intake.
METHODS
This study analyzed data based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2016 to 2018. Adults over 20 years of age with normal renal function, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over 30mL/min/1.73m, were included. The criteria for hyperuricemia were ≥ 7 mg/dL in men and ≥ 6 mg/dL in women. Data regarding dietary intake were obtained using the 24-hour recall method.
RESULTS
A total of 15,278 subjects (6,455 males/8,823 females) were analyzed. The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 19.3% in men and 6.8% in women. There were significant, negative associations between serum uric acid and total fiber intake in both men and women. Consuming more than 27.9 g of dietary fiber in men and 20.7 g in women reduced the risk of hyperuricemia by approximately 30% with odds ratios of 0.72 (0.62-0.83) and 0.71 (0.56-0.88) in men and women, respectively. With regard to the risk reduction by the type of dietary fiber, cereal fiber was significantly identified in both men and women, while fruit fiber was only significant in men. In the subgroup analysis, this association remained significantly in young and metabolically healthy populations with normal weight.
CONCLUSIONS
Dietary fiber intake was inversely associated with serum uric acid levels. This relationship was particularly significant in metabolically healthy young adults.
PubMed: 38858757
DOI: 10.1186/s12986-024-00809-9