The effects of whole grain cereals on tryptophan metabolism and intestinal barrier function: underlying factors of health impact

The role of fiber in modulating plant protein-induced metabolic responses

The rising consumption of plant protein foods and the emergence of meat alternatives have prompted interest in the health benefits of such products, which contain fiber in addition to protein. This review investigates the effect of fiber on plant-based protein metabolism and evaluates its contribution to gut-derived health impacts. Plant proteins, which often come with added fiber, can have varying health outcomes. Factors such as processing and the presence of fiber and starch influence the digestibility of plant proteins, potentially leading to increased proteolytic fermentation in the gut and the production of harmful metabolites. However, fermentable fiber can counteract this effect by serving as a primary substrate for gut microbes, decreasing proteolytic activity. The increased amount of fiber, rather than the protein source itself, plays a significant role in the observed health benefits of plant-based diets in human studies. Differences between extrinsic and intrinsic fiber in the food matrix further impact protein fermentation and digestibility. Thus, in novel protein products without naturally occurring fiber, the health impact may differ from conventional plant protein sources. The influence of various fibers on plant-based protein metabolism throughout the gastrointestinal tract is not fully understood, necessitating further research.

Early fecal microbiota transplantation from high abdominal fat chickens affects recipient cecal microbiome and metabolism

Abdominal fat deposition (AFD) in chickens is closely related to the gut microecological balance. In this study, the gut microbiota from high-AFD chickens was transplanted into the same strain of 0-day-old chicks via fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The FTM from chickens with high AFD had no obvious effects on growth traits, adult body weight, carcass weight, abdominal fat weight, and abdominal fat percentage, but did reduce the coefficient of variation of AFD traits. FMT significantly decreased cecal microbiome richness, changed the microbiota structure, and regulated the biological functions associated with energy metabolism and fat synthesis. Additionally, the cecal metabolite composition and metabolic function of FMT recipient chickens were also significantly altered from those of the controls. Transplantation of high-AFD chicken gut microbiota promoted fatty acid elongation and biosynthesis and reduced the metabolism of vitamins, steroids, and carbohydrates in the cecum. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which chicken gut microbiota affect host metabolic profiles and fat deposition.