Dietary fibers reduce food intake by satiation without conditioned taste aversion in mice

Acid stress responses of Lactobacillus amylovorus and Candida kefyr isolated from fermented sorghum gruel and their application in food fermentation

Exposure of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and yeasts to adverse fluctuations during fermentation causes stress, consequently, microbes develop adaptive responses. In this study, the physiological and proteomic responses of LAB and yeast to acid stress, and their application in food fermentation was investigated. The physiological and proteomic responses of Lactobacillus amylovorus LS07 and Candida kefyr YS12 to acid stress were measured using turbidimetry method, SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS respectively. The technique previously reported by Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were employed for evaluation of the physiocochemical and organoleptic properties of the sorghum gruel fermented using the LAB and yeast in singly and combination as starter cultures and spontaneous fermentation as control. Growth of L. amylovorus LS07 was optimal at pH 1.0 and C. kefyr YSI2 at pH 4. An increased intensity of 30S ribosomal protein S2 (L. amylovorus LS07) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (C. kefyr YS12) was noted at pH 1 and 4 respectively suggesting increased microbial metabolism thereby reducing stress encountered. Sorghum gruel produced with combined starters had the highest crude protein (10.94 %), Iron content (0.0085 %), organoleptic acceptability (7.29) significantly different from products produced with the single starters and control. The combined starter's (L. amylovorus LS07 and C. kefyr YSI2 as starter) adapted stress yielded foods with improved sensory properties, mineral and reduced anti-nutrient contents.

Physicochemical Properties of the Soluble Dietary Fiber from Laminaria japonica and Its Role in the Regulation of Type 2 Diabetes Mice

Laminaria japonica is a large marine brown alga that is annually highly productive. However, due to its underutilization, its potential value is substantially wasted. For example, a lot of Laminaria japonica cellulose remains unused during production of algin. The soluble dietary fiber (SDF) was prepared from the byproducts of Laminaria japonica, and its physicochemical properties were explored. SDF exhibits good water-holding, oil-holding, water-absorbing swelling, glucose and cholesterol absorption capacity, and inhibitory activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. In addition, the beneficial effects of SDF in diabetic mice include reduced body weight, lower blood glucose, and relieved insulin resistance. Finally, the intestinal flora and metabolomic products were analyzed from feces using 16S amplicon and LC-MS/MS, respectively. SDF not only significantly changed the composition and structure of intestinal flora and intestinal metabolites, but also significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria Akkermansia, Odoribacter and Bacteroides, decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria Staphylococcus, and increased the content of bioactive substances in intestinal tract, such as harmine, magnolol, arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2, urimorelin and azelaic acid. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary intake of SDF alleviates type 2 diabetes mellitus disease, and provides an important theoretical basis for SDF to be used as a functional food.

Brain-Gut-Microbiome Interactions and Intermittent Fasting in Obesity

The obesity epidemic and its metabolic consequences are a major public health problem both in the USA and globally. While the underlying causes are multifactorial, dysregulations within the brain–gut–microbiome (BGM) system play a central role. Normal eating behavior is coordinated by the tightly regulated balance between intestinal, extraintestinal and central homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms, resulting in stable body weight. The ubiquitous availability and marketing of inexpensive, highly palatable and calorie-dense food has played a crucial role in shifting this balance towards hedonic eating through both central (disruptions in dopaminergic signaling) and intestinal (vagal afferent function, metabolic toxemia, systemic immune activation, changes to gut microbiome and metabolome) mechanisms. The balance between homeostatic and hedonic eating behaviors is not only influenced by the amount and composition of the diet, but also by the timing and rhythmicity of food ingestion. Circadian rhythmicity affects both eating behavior and multiple gut functions, as well as the composition and interactions of the microbiome with the gut. Profound preclinical effects of intermittent fasting and time restricted eating on the gut microbiome and on host metabolism, mostly demonstrated in animal models and in a limited number of controlled human trials, have been reported. In this Review, we will discuss the effects of time-restricted eating on the BGM and review the promising effects of this eating pattern in obesity treatment.

Brain-gut-microbiome interactions in obesity and food addiction

Normal eating behaviour is coordinated by the tightly regulated balance between intestinal and extra-intestinal homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms. By contrast, food addiction is a complex, maladaptive eating behaviour that reflects alterations in brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) interactions and a shift of this balance towards hedonic mechanisms. Each component of the BGM axis has been implicated in the development of food addiction, with both brain to gut and gut to brain signalling playing a role. Early-life influences can prime the infant gut microbiome and brain for food addiction, which might be further reinforced by increased antibiotic usage and dietary patterns throughout adulthood. The ubiquitous availability and marketing of inexpensive, highly palatable and calorie-dense food can further shift this balance towards hedonic eating through both central (disruptions in dopaminergic signalling) and intestinal (vagal afferent function, metabolic endotoxaemia, systemic immune activation, changes to gut microbiome and metabolome) mechanisms. In this Review, we propose a systems biology model of BGM interactions, which incorporates published reports on food addiction, and provides novel insights into treatment targets aimed at each level of the BGM axis.

The Effects of Different Degrees of Procyanidin Polymerization on the Nutrient Absorption and Digestive Enzyme Activity in Mice

Proanthocyanidins, including polymers with both low and high degrees of polymerization, are the focus of intensive research worldwide due to their high antioxidant activity, medicinal applications, and pharmacological properties. However, the nutritional value of these compounds is limited because they readily form complexes with proteins, polysaccharides, and metal ions when consumed. In this study, we examined the effects of proanthocyanidins with different degrees of polymerization on white mice. Twenty-four male white mice were randomly divided into three groups of eight mice each and fed proanthocyanidins with a low degree of polymerization or a high degree of polymerization or a distilled water control via oral gavage over a 56-day period. We examined the effects of these proanthocyanidins on digestive enzyme activity and nutrient absorption. Compared to the control group, the group fed high-polymer proanthocyanidins exhibited a significant reduction in net body mass, total food intake, food utility rate, amylase activity, protease activity, and major nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05), while the group fed low-polymerization proanthocyanidins only exhibited significant reductions in total food intake, α-amylase activity, and apparent digestibility of calcium and zinc (p < 0.05). Therefore, proanthocyanidins with a high degree of polymerization had a greater effect on digestive enzyme activity and nutrient absorption than did those with a low degree of polymerization. This study lays the foundation for elucidating the relationship between procyanidin polymerization and nutrient uptake, with the aim of reducing or eliminating the antinutritional effects of polyphenols.

Inulin fiber dose-dependently modulates energy balance, glucose tolerance, gut microbiota, hormones and diet preference in high-fat-fed male rats

Inulin, a popular prebiotic fiber, has been reported to promote satiety and fat loss; however, the dose-response effects of inulin on energy balance and diet preference, and whether the metabolic effects are independent of calorie restriction are not well characterized. Therefore, we compared the effects of diets varying in inulin concentrations on food intake, energy expenditure, body composition, gut microbiota and hormones, and assessed whether inulin-induced hypophagia was due to reduced diet preference. In experiment 1, male rats were randomized to six high-fat diet groups: control (CON, 0% inulin), 2.5% inulin (2.5IN), 10% inulin (10IN), 25% inulin (25IN), 25% cellulose (25CE) or pair-fed to 25IN (25PF) for 21 days. We demonstrate that inulin dose-dependently decreased caloric intake and respiratory quotient; improved glucose tolerance; increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacterium spp.; decreased Clostridium clusters I and IV; increased butyryl-CoA:acetate CoA-transferase in cecum; upregulated peptide YY, cholecystokinin and proglucagon transcripts in the cecum and colon; and increased plasma peptide YY and glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations. Importantly, unlike 25PF, 25IN attenuated the reduction in energy expenditure associated with calorie restriction and decreased adiposity. In experiment 2, following four training periods, diet preferences were determined. Although 10IN and 25IN decreased caloric intake, and 25CE increased caloric intake, during training, all high-fiber diets were less preferred. Taken together, this work demonstrates that inulin dose-dependently decreased caloric intake, modulated gut microbiota and upregulated satiety hormones, with metabolic effects being largely independent of caloric restriction.

Wholegrain rye, but not wholegrain wheat, lowers body weight and fat mass compared with refined wheat: a 6-week randomized study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies suggest inverse associations between wholegrain intake and body weight gain. Only few controlled intervention studies have supported this association and few compare effects of different grain varieties.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate how wholegrain wheat (WGW) and rye compared with refined wheat (RW) affect body weight and composition and appetite sensation.

DESIGN

Seventy overweight/obese adults participated in this 6-week randomized parallel study, in which they replaced their habitual cereal foods with RW, WGW or wholegrain rye (WGR). Further, a 4 h postprandial test meal challenge was completed with meals corresponding to diet allocation in the beginning and after the intervention. Body weight and composition, fasted blood samples, compliance and 4-day dietary intake were obtained before and after the intervention period. Appetite and breath hydrogen excretion was assessed during the postprandial test meal challenge.

RESULTS

Diet allocation affected body weight significantly (P=0.013) and tended also to affect fat mass (P=0.065). Both body weight and fat mass decreased more in the WGR group (-1.06±1.60 and -0.75±1.29 kg, respectively) compared with the RW group (+0.15±1.28 and -0.04±0.82 kg, respectively; P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Further, the decrease in fat mass in the WGR group tended to exceed that in the WGW group (P=0.07). Overall, no effect of diet on appetite sensation was observed; however, energy intake from study products was ~200 kcal lower in the WGR group when compared with that in the RW group (P<0.05), although total energy intake did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support a role for WGR foods in body weight regulation, when provided ad libitum. The effect may be mediated by satiation reflected in a reduction in energy intake, mainly from the wholegrain products without compensation in other parts of the diets, despite no difference in appetite.

Soluble Fiber with High Water-Binding Capacity, Swelling Capacity, and Fermentability Reduces Food Intake by Promoting Satiety Rather Than Satiation in Rats

To understand whether soluble fiber (SF) with high water-binding capacity (WBC), swelling capacity (SC) and fermentability reduces food intake and whether it does so by promoting satiety or satiation or both, we investigated the effects of different SFs with these properties on the food intake in rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to four equal groups and fed the control diet or diet containing 2% konjac flour (KF), pregelatinized waxy maize starch (PWMS) plus guar gum (PG), and PWMS starch plus xanthan gum (PX) for three weeks, with the measured values of SF, WBC, and SC in the four diets following the order of PG > KF > PX > control. Food intake, body weight, meal pattern, behavioral satiety sequence, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in cecal content were evaluated. KF and PG groups reduced the food intake, mainly due to the decreased feeding behavior and increased satiety, as indicated by decreased meal numbers and increased inter-meal intervals. Additionally, KF and PG groups increased concentrations of acetate acid, propionate acid, and SCFAs in the cecal contents. Our results indicate that SF with high WBC, SC, and fermentability reduces food intake—probably by promoting a feeling of satiety in rats to decrease their feeding behavior.

Differential regulation of metabolic parameters by energy deficit and hunger

AIMS

Hypocaloric diet decreases both energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory exchange rate (RER), affecting the efficacy of dieting inversely. Energy deficit and hunger may be modulated separately both in human and animal studies by drug treatment or food restriction. Thus it is important to separate the effects of energy deficit and hunger on EE and RER.

METHODS

Three parallel and analogous experiments were performed using three pharmacologically distinct anorectic drugs: rimonabant, sibutramine and tramadol. Metabolic parameters of vehicle- and drug-treated and pair-fed diet-induced obese mice from the three experiments underwent common statistical analysis to identify effects independent of the mechanisms of action. Diet-induced obesity (DIO) test of tramadol was also performed to examine its anti-obesity efficacy.

RESULTS

RER was decreased similarly by drug treatments and paired feeding throughout the experiment irrespective of the cause of reduced food intake. Contrarily, during the passive phase, EE was decreased more by paired feeding than by both vehicle and drug treatment irrespective of the drug used. In the active phase, EE was influenced by the pharmacological mechanisms of action. Tramadol decreased body weight in the DIO test.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that RER is mainly affected by the actual state of energy balance; conversely, EE is rather influenced by hunger. Therefore, pharmacological medications that decrease hunger may enhance the efficacy of a hypocaloric diet by maintaining metabolic rate. Furthermore, our results yield the proposal that effects of anorectic drugs on EE and RER should be determined compared to vehicle and pair-fed groups, respectively, in animal models.

Compositional and gastrointestinal prokinetic studies of Pugionium (L.)

Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn. (PCG) is a desert plant with edible and medicinal value. The contents of proximate composition, amino acids and vitamins of fresh and pickled PCG were analyzed. PCG is rich in dietary fiber, protein and vitamins. PCG is a dietary source of potassium and calcium, with low levels of fat and sugar. PCG contains all the 18 hydrolyzed amino acids. Pickled PCG protein is a high quality protein. A large quantity of vitamins are lost during the pickling process. The type and number of mice dejections, gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion were investigated using the water extract of fresh and pickled PCG (WEFP and WEPP) to determine their gastrointestinal prokinetic efficacy. The low-dose WEFP and WEPP promoted the gastrointestinal dynamics and the WEFP and WEPP promoted gastrointestinal activity and act as nonviolent drugs. The results indicate that PCG has great potential as a new functional food source.