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PubMed2005

Behavioural and cognitive effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin in rats.

The behavioural and cognitive effects of oligofructose-enriched inulin at the doses of 5 and 10 % in the diet, orally ingested daily during 2 weeks, were investigated using a functional observational battery (FOB) and the light extinction test in male Wistar rats. Control rats received a standard diet and were tested in the same test situations. The behavioural effects were assessed 2 d before and 14 d after the beginning of the treatment period and the cognitive effects were investigated after the administration period by lever-pressing activity and learning discrimination using the light extinction test paradigm. In general, the study demonstrated that oligofructose-enriched inulin at 5 % in the diet, and particularly at 10 % in the diet, caused relaxing-like effects, stimulated and increased the general activity and interest of the rats to the test environment. In addition, both doses of oligofructose-enriched inulin showed significant effects on learning discrimination in male rats, in comparison with the control diet. These results suggest that oligofructose-enriched inulin, particularly at the dose of 10 %, improves cognitive performances in the light extinction test and the well-being of male rats using the FOB.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Application of inulin-type fructans in animal feed and pet food.

The inulin-type fructans are non-digestible oligosaccharides that are fermented in the gastrointestinal tract of farm animals and pets. This review focuses on the various effects of inulin-type fructans in pigs, poultry, calves and companion animals. Effects of the inulin-type fructans on gut microflora, digestion and availability of nutrients, gut morphology, fermentation characteristics and animal performance are discussed. Inulin-type fructans can support animal performance and health by affecting nutrient digestion, gut microflora and gut morphology, although results vary depending on composition of the basal diet, inclusion level, type of fructan, adaptation period and experimental hygienic conditions.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Inulin, oligofructose and bone health: experimental approaches and mechanisms.

Inulin-type fructans have been proposed to benefit mineral retention, thereby enhancing bone health. Many, but not all, experimental animal studies have shown increased mineral absorption by feeding non-digestible oligosaccharides. Possible reasons for inconsistencies are explored. A few studies have reported an enhanced bone mineral density or content. Bone health can be evaluated in chronic feeding studies with bone densitometry, bone breaking strength, bone mineral concentration and bone structure. Isotopic Ca tracers can be used to determine the point of metabolism affected by feeding a functional food ingredient. These methods and the effects of feeding inulin-type fructose are reviewed. Inulin-type fructans enhance Mg retention. Chicory long-chain inulin and oligofructose enhance femoral Ca content, bone mineral density and Ca retention through enhanced Ca absorption and suppressed bone turnover rates, but it is not bone-promoting under all conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Brussels sprouts, inulin and fermented milk alter the faecal microbiota of human microbiota-associated rats as shown by PCR-temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis using universal, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium 16S rRNA gene primers.

We investigated the effect of Brussels sprouts, inulin and a fermented milk on the faecal microbiota diversity of human microbiota-associated (HMA) rats by PCR-temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-TTGE) using universal and group-specific 16S rRNA gene primers. The HMA rats were submitted to a control diet for 10 d (initial time), then switched to the experimental diets for 4 weeks (final time). Using universal primers, the mean degree of similarity between all faecal samples at initial time was 80.8 %. In the group consuming the control diet throughout the experiment, the mean degree of similarity between the PCR-TTGE profiles at initial v. final time was 76.8 %, reflecting a spontaneous temporal variation. The mean degree of similarity between control and experimental groups at final time was lower, 72.4 %, 74.4 % and 75.6 % for inulin, Brussels sprouts and fermented milk, respectively, indicating a dietary effect on the predominant populations. Using specific primers, bifidobacteria could be detected only in those rats that had consumed inulin, showing a specific increasing effect of this dietary compound. The Lactobacillus population was very heterogeneous at initial time but tended to homogenize within each dietary group. At final time, caecal contents were collected for analysis of SCFA and beta-glucuronidase activity. Inulin and Brussels sprouts increased the butyrate and acetate proportion, respectively, while the fermented milk did not modify the caecal biochemistry. This experiment shows for the first time that cruciferous vegetables are able to alter the diversity and the metabolic activities of the digestive microbiota in HMA rats.

Acetates↗

PubMed2002

Fermentation and bulking capacity of indigestible carbohydrates: the case of inulin and oligofructose.

The bulking index (i.e. the increase in faecal fresh weight in gram per gram indigestible carbohydrate ingested) with oligofructose and inulin is similar to that produced with other easily fermented fibres such as pectins and gums. Most studies in man have been performed at a level of 15 g/d and more investigations on lower intakes are needed to appoint the least intake for an effect. Concerning short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) most studies have been using oligofructose and points at an increased butyric acid formation in the caecum of rats. In one study on rats with inulin high caecal proportions of propionic acid were obtained. As inulin has a higher molecular weight than oligofructose it might be speculated if this could be a reason to the different SCFA-profile formed. No effects on faecal concentrations of SCFA in humans have been revealed with inulin and oligofructose, which neither is expected as most of the SCFA formed during the fermentation already has been absorbed or utilized by the colonic mucosa.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Inulin and oligofructose: effects on lipid metabolism from human studies.

Although convincing lipid-lowering effects of the fructo-oligosaccharide, inulin, have been demonstrated in animals, attempts to reproduce similar effects in man have produced conflicting findings. This may be because of the much lower doses which can be used due to the adverse gastrointestinal symptoms exhibited by most subjects consuming in excess of 15 g/d. There are nine studies reported in the literature which have investigated the response of blood lipids (usually total and LDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol) to inulin or oligofructose supplementation in human volunteers. Three have observed no effects of inulin or oligofructose on blood levels of cholesterol or triacylglycerol, three have shown significant reductions in triacylglycerol, whilst four have shown modest reductions in total and LDL-cholesterol. Studies have been conducted in both normo- and moderately hyperlipidaemic subjects. Differences in study outcomes do not appear to be due to differences in the type or dose of oligosaccharides used nor the duration of the studies. Because animal studies have identified inhibition of hepatic fatty acid synthesis as the major site of action for the triacylglycerol lowering effects of inulin and oligofructose, and because this pathway is relatively inactive in man unless a high carbohydrate diet is fed, variability in response may be a reflection of differences in background diet or the experimental foods used.

Cholesterol↗

PubMed2002

Technological functionality of inulin and oligofructose.

Inulin and oligofructose are functional food ingredients which offer a unique combination of nutritional properties and important technological benefits. They are found in many vegetables and fruits and can be industrially obtained from chicory roots. In food formulations, inulin and oligofructose may significantly improve organoleptic characteristics. Their incorporation allows upgrading of both taste and mouthfeel in a wide range of food applications. Oligofructose is highly soluble and possesses technological properties that are closely related to those of sugar and glucose syrups. It is often used in combination with high intensity sweeteners. Inulin has a much lower solubility, improves the stability of foams and emulsions and shows exceptional fat-like characteristics when used under the form of a gel in water. Fat and carbohydrate replacement with chicory inulin and oligofructose offers the advantage of not compromising on taste and texture, while delivering nutritionally enhanced products.

Cichorium intybus↗

PubMed1995

Selective permeability of [3H]-D-mannitol and [14C]-carboxyl-inulin across the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier in the rabbit.

Selective permeability across the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barriers was studied in a rabbit experimental model. To maintain steady state levels of the tracers in the circulation, 50muCi each of [3H]-D-mannitol and [14C]-carboxyl-inulin were administered as a bolus and by slow intravenous infusion for 60, 90 and 120 minutes; 90 min proved to be the optimal equilibration time for uptake of radioactive tracers into central nervous system (CNS) regions. Kinetic transfer of [3H]-D-mannitol and [14C]-carboxyl-inulin from blood into CNS was computed as apparent transfer constant (KD). The KD for [3H]-D-mannitol in regions of brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, mid-brain, pons and brain stem), and spinal cord (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) were 0.033 to 0.054 microliter/min/g-1 and 0.053 to 0.065 microliter/min/g-1, respectively. The KD for [14C]-carboxyl-inulin into brain and spinal cord regions were 0.016 to 0.033 and 0.037 to 0.054 microliter/min/g-1, respectively. Of the regions of spinal cord and brain examined, lumbar cord appears to be the most permeable. The KD values pooled for samples of the spinal cord show a significant increase in uptake of [3H]-D-mannitol (p = 0.0043) and [14C]-carboxyl-inulin (p = 0.0001) compared to samples of brain. The blood-spinal cord barrier was more permeable to these substances than the blood-brain barrier.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Oxygen and inulin transport measurements in a planar tissue-engineered bioartificial organ.

In vivo oxygen and inulin transport rates were measured in a planar tissue-engineered bioartificial organ implanted in a rat. A compartmental model was used to describe the transport of oxygen and inulin between the cell chamber, across the immunoisolation membrane, and within the neovascularized region adjacent to the immunoisolation membrane. A nonlinear regression analysis of the plasma inulin levels and the oxygen transport rate into the device provided information on the degree of vascularization in the region adjacent to the bioartificial organ. Key parameters that were obtained from the analysis of the in vivo transport data included the average capillary blood oxygen partial pressure, the Krogh tissue cylinder radius, the extracellular volume fraction, and the capillary blood residence time. These four parameters are important indicators for assessing the degree of vascularization in the tissue adjacent to the immunoisolation membrane in the bioartificial organ. The oxygen and inulin transport technique reported here is a useful tool for describing the in vivo transport characteristics of a bioartificial organ and for assessment of the vascularization within tissue engineered structures.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

A combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans enhances calcium absorption and bone mineralization in young adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Short-term studies in adolescents have generally shown an enhancement of calcium absorption by inulin-type fructans (prebiotics). Results have been inconsistent; however, and no studies have been conducted to determine whether this effect persists with long-term use. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to assess the effects on calcium absorption and bone mineral accretion after 8 wk and 1 y of supplementation with an inulin-type fructan. DESIGN: Pubertal adolescents were randomly assigned to receive 8 g/d of a mixed short and long degree of polymerization inulin-type fructan product (fructan group) or maltodextrin placebo (control group). Bone mineral content and bone mineral density were measured before randomization and after 1 y. Calcium absorption was measured with the use of stable isotopes at baseline and 8 wk and 1 y after supplementation. Polymorphisms of the Fok1 vitamin D receptor gene were determined. RESULTS: Calcium absorption was significantly greater in the fructan group than in the control group at 8 wk (difference: 8.5 +/- 1.6%; P < 0.001) and at 1 y (difference: 5.9 +/- 2.8%; P = 0.04). An interaction with Fok1 genotype was present such that subjects with an ff genotype had the least initial response to fructan. After 1 y, the fructan group had a greater increment in both whole-body bone mineral content (difference: 35 +/- 16 g; P = 0.03) and whole-body bone mineral density (difference: 0.015 +/- 0.004 g/cm(2); P = 0.01) than did the control group. CONCLUSION: Daily consumption of a combination of prebiotic short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans significantly increases calcium absorption and enhances bone mineralization during pubertal growth. Effects of dietary factors on calcium absorption may be modulated by genetic factors, including specific vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms.

Absorption↗

PubMed2003

Addition of inulin to a moderately high-carbohydrate diet reduces hepatic lipogenesis and plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in humans.

BACKGROUND: A high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet is recommended for the prevention of atherosclerosis, because it reduces plasma cholesterol concentrations. However, such a diet can increase plasma triacylglycerol concentrations--an undesirable side effect. The addition of nondigestible carbohydrate could reduce the risk of elevated triacylglycerol concentrations. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the addition of a moderate dose of inulin to a moderately high-carbohydrate diet would decrease hepatic lipogenesis and plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and have a cholesterol-lowering action. DESIGN: Eight healthy subjects were studied twice in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study after consuming for 3 wk a moderately high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet (55% of total energy) plus an oral placebo or 10 g high-performance inulin/d. Hepatic lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis (deuterated water method), plasma lipid concentrations, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, and sterol responsive element binding protein 1c messenger RNA concentrations were measured in adipose tissue at the end of the 2 diet periods. RESULTS: Plasma triacylglycerol concentrations and hepatic lipogenesis were lower after inulin than after placebo ingestion (P < 0.05), but cholesterol synthesis and plasma cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups. None of the adipose tissue messenger RNA concentrations changed significantly after inulin ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of high-performance inulin to a moderately high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet has a beneficial effect on plasma lipids by decreasing hepatic lipogenesis and plasma triacylglycerol concentrations. These results support the use of nondigestible carbohydrate for reducing risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Prevention of colonic aberrant crypt foci and modulation of large bowel microbial activity by dietary coffee fiber, inulin and pectin.

The present experiments were aimed at developing novel dietary fibers to aid in reduction of colon cancer risk. We assessed the effects of coffee (non-fiber fraction), coffee fiber (arabino-galactose polymer) and inulin (oligo-fructose) in male F344 rats using formation of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the colon as the measure of preventive efficacy (or lack of such). At 5 weeks of age, groups of rats were fed the AIN-76A (control) and experimental diets that contained 1% coffee, 10% coffee fiber, 10% inulin, 10% pectin (positive control for fiber) or 200 p.p.m. piroxicam (a known ACF inhibitor). At 7 weeks of age, all animals were s.c injected with AOM (15 mg/kg body wt) once weekly for 2 weeks. All rats were killed 8 weeks after the last AOM injection and ACF were counted. The contents of the cecum were analyzed for bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Dietary administration of coffee fiber significantly suppressed AOM-induction of colonic ACF, in terms of total number, as well as crypt multiplicity and number of ACF/cm2 colon (P < 0.01-0.001). Inulin diet had no significant effect on total ACF, but had reduced the number of ACF/cm2 (P < 0.05). Whereas coffee had no effect on ACF formation, 10% pectin diet and 200 p.p.m. piroxicam significantly suppressed colonic ACF (P < 0.001) as had been expected. A significant reduction of cecal beta-glucuronidase activity was observed in the rats fed coffee, coffee fiber and pectin diets. Further, coffee fiber, inulin and pectin increased cecal SCFA levels 3- to 5-fold. These results suggest that coffee fiber can prevent colon cancer risk. Further studies are warranted to determine the full potential of this fiber in pre-clinical efficacy studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Dietary chicory inulin increases whole-body bone mineral density in growing male rats.

Chicory inulin is a natural linear fructan that is not digested in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract but is fermented in the cecocolon. It enhances calcium absorption in rats and improves femur and tibia mineral contents in gastrectomized or ovariectomized rats. We studied the effect of inulin (0, 5 and 10 g/100 g diet) on whole-body bone mineral content (WBBMC), whole-body bone area (WBBA) and whole-body bone mineral density (WBBMD) in live, growing male rats fed diets containing 0.2, 0.5 or 1 g Ca/100 g. Three experiments, each corresponding to one of the different dietary Ca concentrations, were performed using male Wistar rats (n = 108; 4 wk old). WBBMC was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry every 4 wk up to wk 22. Inulin increased WBBMC (P < 0.05) and WBBMD (P < 0.001) significantly but not WBBA at all ages and all dietary calcium concentrations. This is the first report to demonstrate that chicory inulin not only increases calcium absorption but also increases mineral parameters in whole-body bones.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Dietary oligofructose and inulin protect mice from enteric and systemic pathogens and tumor inducers.

Prebiotics induce changes in the population and metabolic characteristics of the gastrointestinal bacteria, modulate enteric and systemic immune functions, and provide laboratory rodents with resistance to carcinogens that promote colorectal cancer. There is less known about protection from other challenges. Therefore, mice of the B6C3F1 strain were fed for 6 wk a control diet with 100 g/kg cellulose or one of two experimental diets with the cellulose replaced entirely by the nondigestible oligosaccharides (NDO) oligofructose and inulin. From each diet, 25 mice were challenged by a promoter of colorectal cancer (1,2-dimethylhydrazine), B16F10 tumor cells, the enteric pathogen Candida albicans (enterically), or were infected systemically with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella typhimurium. The incidences of aberrant crypt foci in the distal colon after exposure to dimethylhdrazine for mice fed inulin (53%) and oligofructose (54%) were lower than in control mice (76%; P < 0.05), but the fructans did not reduce the incidence of lung tumors after injection of the B16F10 tumor cells. Mice fed the diets with fructans had 50% lower densities of C. albicans in the small intestine (P < 0.05). A systemic infection with L. monocytogenes caused nearly 30% mortality among control mice, but none of the mice fed inulin died, with survival intermediate for mice fed oligofructose. Mortality was higher for the systemic infection of S. typhimurium (>80% for control mice), but fewer of the mice fed inulin died (60%; P < 0.05), with mice fed oligofructose again intermediate. The mechanistic basis for the increased resistance provided by dietary NDO was not elucidated, but the findings are consistent with enhanced immune functions in response to changes in the composition and metabolic characteristics of the bacteria resident in the gastrointestinal tract.

1,2-Dimethylhydrazine↗

PubMed1991

Effects of tenoxicam on renal function and the disposition of inulin and p-aminohippurate in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic renal failure.

1. The effects of tenoxicam on renal function were studied in 10 patients with chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance 46.7 +/- 11.9 ml min-1 1.73 m-2) and eight healthy volunteers. A parallel treatment control group of eight healthy volunteers received placebo. Tenoxicam was given orally in a dose of 40 mg daily for 2 days followed by 20 mg daily for a further 8 days. Renal function was assessed by measurement of the renal clearances of inulin and p-aminohippurate (PAH) using the single injection technique before and during administration of tenoxicam. 2. In the healthy volunteers there were no changes in glomerular filtration rate, effective renal plasma flow, or the urinary excretion of N-acetylglucosaminidase and beta 2-microglobulin on the 3rd and 10th days of treatment with tenoxicam. The mean urinary excretion of prostaglandins E2 and 6-keto F1 alpha decreased during treatment but there was great individual variation and the differences were not statistically significant. Tenoxicam had no effect on the half-life, clearance, volume of distribution or urinary recovery of inulin and PAH. 3. There was no significant change in the clearance of inulin and creatinine after treatment with tenoxicam for 10 days in the patients with chronic renal failure. However, in this group there was a significant increase in plasma creatinine on the 3rd and 6th days with a return to pretreatment levels by the 10th day. The administration of tenoxicam for 10 days was associated with a small but significant increase in the plasma half-life and volume of distribution of inulin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Optimization of cholesterol removal, growth and fermentation patterns of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4962 in the presence of mannitol, fructo-oligosaccharide and inulin: a response surface methodology approach.

AIMS: To optimize cholesterol removal by Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4962 in the presence of prebiotics, and study the growth and fermentation patterns of the prebiotics. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4962 was screened in the presence of six prebiotics, namely sorbitol, mannitol, maltodextrin, hi-amylose maize, fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin in order to determine the best combination for highest level of cholesterol removal. The first-order model showed that the combination of inoculum size, mannitol, FOS and inulin was best for removal of cholesterol. The second-order polynomial regression model estimated the optimum condition of the factors for cholesterol removal by L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 to be 2.64% w/v inoculum size, 4.13% w/v mannitol, 3.29% w/v FOS and 5.81% w/v inulin. Analyses of growth, mean doubling time and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production using quadratic models indicated that cholesterol removal and the production of SCFA were growth associated. CONCLUSIONS: Optimum cholesterol removal was obtained from the fermentation of L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 in the presence of mannitol, FOS and inulin. Cholesterol removal and the production of SCFA appeared to be growth associated and highly influenced by the prebiotics. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Response surface methodology proved reliable in developing the model, optimizing factors and analysing interaction effects. The results provide better understanding on the interactions between probiotic and prebiotics for the removal of cholesterol.

Cholesterol↗

PubMed2005

Production of organic acids from fermentation of mannitol, fructooligosaccharide and inulin by a cholesterol removing Lactobacillus acidophilus strain.

AIMS: Assessment of individual production of organic acids by Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4962 in the presence of mannitol, fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and inulin. METHODS AND RESULTS: The production patterns of individual organic acids by L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 were assessed using the experimental region for optimum cholesterol removal from the interaction between L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 and prebiotics selected in our previous study. The production of acetic and formic acids was growth associated and was greatly influenced by the inoculum size of the organism and the concentration of mannitol. The growth of the organism was repressed with the fermentation end products of FOS and inulin, which subsequently exhibited repressed production of acetic and formic acids as well. The inoculum size, mannitol and FOS linearly affected the formation of butyric acid and the response surface generated showed a correlation between butyric acid and acetic acid. The experimental regions with increased production of lactic acid showed cessation of growth of the organism, indicating inhibition of growth at high concentration of lactic acid. CONCLUSIONS: The production of individual organic acids was dependent on growth and the fermentability of prebiotics. Mannitol, FOS and inulin favoured the production of formic, lactic and butyric acids respectively. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The fermentability of prebiotics to produce metabolites has been a controversial issue. Information gathered in this study provides a better understanding on the production of organic acids from fermentation of mannitol, FOS and inulin by L. acidophilus ATCC 4962, and on changes in their production as a response from interaction of factors.

Acetates↗

PubMed1977

Transcapillary exchange of 14C-inulin by free diffusion in channels of fused vesicles.

Capillary permeability for the extracellular, hydrophilic indicator 14C-inulin, was determined in the autoperfused cat gastrocnemius muscle by bolus injection, venous sampling expts. The capillary diffusion capacity, CDC (the permeability-surface are product, PS), was 0.84 ml/100 g-min, and capillary extraction, E, was 0.307 at a plasma flow of 4.0 ml/100 g-min as average values of 7 expts. Results were compared with 51Cr-EDTA and 57Co-B12 data of previous studies. The findings imply that 14C-inulin is not subject to restricted diffusion across the continuous capillary membranes of skeletal muscle as compared to 51Cr-EDTA as well as 57Co-B12. These hydrophilic indicators pass the capillary barrier at rates proportional to their respective free diffusion coefficients in water. The Pappenheimer equivalent pore radius estimate of 30 A (or slit width of 37 A) and the Karnovsky 40 A interendothelial slit width are inconsistent with the present data which imply a much larger pore size. The transendothelial channel system of fused vesicles is a possible morphological equivalent for the present findings which support the general theory that capillaries of continuous type exhibit similar permeation characteristics regardless of the tissue in which they are located. By kinetic black-box analysis the extravascular distribution volume for 14C-inulin in skeletal muscle was found to be 13.0 ml/100 g. The data indicate that 51Cr-EDTA, which has about the same molecular radius as sucrose, and 14C-inulin have identical extravascular volumes of distribution and that both molecules presumably enter the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗