Combined resistant dextrin and low-dose Mg oxide administration increases short-chain fatty acid and lactic acid production by gut microbiota.

The consumption of resistant dextrin improves constipation, while its fermentation and degradation by the intestinal microbiota produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactic acid, which have beneficial effects on host metabolism and immunity. Mg oxide (MgO) is an important mineral that is used to treat constipation. Therefore, resistant dextrin and MgO are often administered together to improve constipation. However, limited information is available regarding the effect of this combination on SCFA and lactic acid production. Crl:CD1(ICR) mice were fed a Mg-free diet with 5% resistant dextrin, followed by oral administration of MgO. We collected the cecum contents and measured SCFA and lactic acid levels. Additionally, the human subjects received resistant dextrin and Mg supplements as part of their habitual diet. The results of this study demonstrate that intestinal microbiota cannot promote SCFA and lactic acid production in the absence of Mg. In a mouse model, low doses of MgO promoted the production of SCFA and lactic acid, whereas high doses decreased their production. In humans, the combined consumption of resistant dextrin and Mg supplements increased the production of SCFA and lactic acid. The production of SCFA and lactic acid from dietary fiber may be augmented by the presence of MgO.

Effects of Resistant Dextrin from Potato Starch on the Growth Dynamics of Selected Co-Cultured Strains of Gastrointestinal Bacteria and the Activity of Fecal Enzymes.

Preparations of resistant dextrins have become an interesting topic of research due to their properties, which bear resemblance those of prebiotics, e.g., the improvement of metabolic parameters, increased efficiency of the immune system and induction of vitamin production. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the resistant dextrin produced from potato starch on the growth dynamics of typical gastrointestinal microbiota and the activity of fecal enzymes in order to assess a possible exhibition of prebiotic properties. In the study, in vitro cultivation of co-cultures of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, E. coli, Enterococcus, Clostridium and Bacteroides spp. was conducted on media enriched with the resistant dextrin. The CFU/mL for each strain was measured in time periods of 24, 48, 72, 96 and 168 h. Furthermore, the activities of α-glucosidase, α-galactosidase, ß-glucosidase, ß-galactosidase and ß-glucuronidase were determined using spectrophotometric methods at a wavelength of 400 nm. The results show that the resistant dextrin can be utilized as a source of carbon for the growth of intestinal bacteria. Moreover, the results revealed that, after 168 h of cultivation, it enhances the viability of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. and decreases the growth of other intestinal strains (Clostridium, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and Bacteroides), which is demonstrated by a high Prebiotic Index (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant change in the pH of the cultures; however, the pace of the pH decrease during the cultivation was slower in the case of culture with resistant dextrin. Furthermore, it was revealed that usage of the resistant dextrin as a medium additive noticeably lowered the activities of ß-glucosidase and ß-glucuronidase compared to the control (p < 0.05), whereas the activities of the other fecal enzymes were affected to a lesser degree. The resistant dextrins derived from potato starch are a suitable prebiotic candidate as they promote the growth of beneficial strains of gut bacteria and improve health markers, such as the activity of fecal enzymes. Nevertheless, additional in vivo research is necessary to further assess the suspected health-promoting properties.

Diet Supplementation with NUTRIOSE, a Resistant Dextrin, Increases the Abundance of Parabacteroides distasonis in the Human Gut.

SCOPE: An imbalance of the gut microbiota ("dysbiosis") is associated with numerous chronic diseases, and its modulation is a promising novel therapeutic approach. Dietary supplementation with soluble fiber is one of several proposed modulation strategies. This study aims at confirming the impact of the resistant dextrin NUTRIOSE (RD), a soluble fiber with demonstrated beneficial health effects, on the gut microbiota of healthy individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty healthy women are enrolled and supplemented daily with either RD (n = 24) or a control product (n = 26) during 6 weeks. Characterization of the fecal metagenome with shotgun sequencing reveals that RD intake dramatically increases the abundance of the commensal bacterium Parabacteroides distasonis. Furthermore, presence in metagenomes of accessory genes from P. distasonis, coding for susCD (a starch-binding membrane protein complex) is associated with a greater increase of the species. This suggests that response to RD might be strain-dependent. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with RD can be used to specifically increase P. distasonis in gut microbiota of healthy women. The magnitude of the response may be associated with fiber-metabolizing capabilities of strains carried by subjects. Further research will seek to confirm that P. distasonis directly modulates the clinical effects observed in other studies.

Milk Powder Co-Supplemented with Inulin and Resistant Dextrin Improves Glycemic Control and Insulin Resistance in Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 12-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

SCOPE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of milk powder co-supplemented with inulin and resistant dextrin (MPCIR) on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is carried out among elderly T2DM patients. The subjects recruited from the community are randomly assigned to either the MPCIR group or placebo group for 12 weeks intervention. Each group receives 45 g milk powder with or without inulin and resistant dextrin. Anthropometric and metabolic variables are measured. For the MPCIR group, systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP are reduced significantly by 5.45 and 4.56 mm Hg (p < 0.001, vs placebo group), respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the fasting and 2-h postprandial plasma glucose levels, glycosylated serum protein, and insulin resistance index of the MPCIR group are significantly decreased by 0.96 mmol L-1 , 1.47 mmol L-1 , 16.33 µmol L-1 , and 0.65 respectively (p < 0.001). The MPCIR group shows an increase by 7.09 µIU mL-1 and 20.43 in 2-h postprandial insulin (p = 0.016) and ß-cell function index (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: MPCIR supplementation helps to improve glycemic control, insulin resistance, and blood pressure.

Consumption of the Soluble Dietary Fibre Complex PolyGlycopleX(®) Reduces Glycaemia and Increases Satiety of a Standard Meal Postprandially.

The effect of consumption of PolyGlycopleX(®) (PGX(®)) was compared to wheat dextrin (WD) in combination with a standard meal, on postprandial satiety and glycaemia in a double-blind, randomised crossover trial, of 14 healthy subjects trained as a satiety panel. At each of six two-hour satiety sessions, subjects consumed one of three different test meals on two separate occasions. The test meals were: a standard meal plus 5 g PGX; a standard meal plus 4.5 g of PGX as softgels; and a standard meal plus 5 g of WD. Subjects recorded fullness using a labelled magnitude scale at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min and the total area under the curve (AUC), mean fullness vs. time was calculated. The meals with PGX (in granular and softgel form) gave higher satiety (AUC) (477 ± 121 and 454 ± 242 cm·min), than the meal with WD (215 ± 261 cm·min) (p < 0.001). Subjects had blood glucose levels measured after the meals with PGX (granules) and WD. Glucose response (AUC) was significantly lower (p < 0.001) after the PGX meal than for the WD meal.  The high viscosity reported for PGX is a likely mechanism behind the significant satiety and blood glucose modulating effects observed in this study.

Safety and efficacy of coffee enriched with inulin and dextrin on satiety and hunger in normal volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the safety and efficacy of a new beverage on suppressing hunger and improving feelings of satiety in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In the safety study, participants (n = 269) received either 1) a control beverage-coffee alone (group C); 2) the study beverage-coffee, whey protein, inulin, and dextrin (group S); or 3) an inulin-enriched beverage (I group). The study was held over a 7-d period during which participants were required to consume 2 cups of coffee a day. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in any reported adverse effects, apart from more abdominal pain after the first cup in group I versus S (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that a coffee beverage enriched with inulin, dextrin, and whey is safe and has possible benefits with regard to feelings of hunger and satiety 2 h after ingestion.

Prebiotic properties of potato starch dextrins.

The objective of the present study was to compare the prebiotic properties of starch dextrins, that is, resistant dextrins obtained from potato starch in the process of simultaneous thermolysis and chemical modification, which were selected based on previous research. Both prepared dextrins met the definition criterion of dietary fiber and also the basic prebiotic criterion - they were not degraded by the digestive enzymes of the initial sections of the gastrointestinal tract. The growth of probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, as well as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Bacteroides, and Clostridium strains isolated from feces of healthy people, showed that both studied dextrins were utilized as a source of assimilable carbon and energy by the strains. Furthermore, better growth (higher numbers of cells) counts of probiotic bacteria than those of fecal isolates indicated that the studied resistant dextrins showed a selective effect. Both dextrins might be considered as substances with prebiotic properties due to their chemical and physical properties and selectivity towards the studied probiotic bacterial strains.

The citric acid-modified, enzyme-resistant dextrin from potato starch as a potential prebiotic.

In the present study, enzyme-resistant dextrin, prepared by heating of potato starch in the presence of hydrochloric (0.1% dsb) and citric (0.1% dsb) acid at 130ºC for 3 h (CA-dextrin), was tested as a source of carbon for probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria cultured with intestinal bacteria isolated from feces of three healthy 70-year old volunteers. The dynamics of growth of bacterial monocultures in broth containing citric acid (CA)-modified dextrin were estimated. It was also investigated whether lactobacilli and bifidobacteria cultured with intestinal bacteria in the presence of resistant dextrin would be able to dominate the intestinal isolates. Prebiotic fermentation of resistant dextrin was analyzed using prebiotic index (PI). In co-cultures of intestinal and probiotic bacteria, the environment was found to be dominated by the probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which is a beneficial effect.

Soluble fiber dextrin enhances the satiating power of beverages.

This study compared the effects of four types of fiber on satiety and energy intakes at the next meal using a standard double-blinded preload study design. Study participants (14 men and 22 women) each took part in 6 study sessions. Study preloads were a combination of a solid snack and a liquid beverage (energy range 0.78-0.83 MJ) containing four different types of fiber: soluble fiber dextrin (12 g), soluble corn fiber (11.8 g), polydextrose (11.8 g), and resistant starch (11.2g). All four fibers were compared to two control conditions of equal volume: an isoenergetic, low-fiber preload and a lower-energy, low-fiber preload. All preloads were presented twice for a total of 0.35-1.65 MJ and 1-24 g fiber. Satiety ratings were collected for 20 min intervals for 220 min during the morning testing session. A test meal was served at 1200 h and plate waste measured. The five higher-energy preloads led to higher fullness and lower hunger ratings compared to the low-energy control but were not significantly different from each other. Relative to the isoenergetic control, only soluble fiber dextrin significantly suppressed energy intakes (p=0.023). Supplementing beverages with soluble fiber dextrin affects short term energy intake and may have implications for weight control.

The intestinal lymph fistula model--a novel approach to study ghrelin secretion.

The orexigenic hormone ghrelin is secreted from the stomach and has been implicated in the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. We hypothesized that ghrelin, like other gastrointestinal (GI) hormones, is present in intestinal lymph, and sampling this compartment would provide advantages for studying ghrelin secretion in rodents. Blood and lymph were sampled from catheters in the jugular vein and mesenteric lymph duct before and after intraduodenal (ID) administration of isocaloric Ensure, dextrin, or Liposyn meals or an equal volume of saline in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. Total ghrelin levels were measured using an established radioimmunoassay. Acyl and des-acyl ghrelin were measured using two-site ELISA. Fasting ghrelin levels in lymph were significantly higher than in plasma (means +/- SE: 3,307.9 +/- 272.9 vs. 2,127.1 +/- 115.0 pg/ml, P = 0.004). Postingestive acyl and des-acyl ghrelin levels were also significantly higher, whereas the ratio of acyl:des-acyl ghrelin was similar in lymph and plasma (0.91 +/- 0.28 vs. 1.20 +/- 0.36, P = 0.76). The principle enzymes responsible for deacylation of ghrelin were lower in lymph than in plasma. Following ID Ensure, maximum ghrelin suppression occurred at 2 h in lymph compared with at 1 h in plasma. The return of suppressed ghrelin levels to baseline was also delayed in lymph. Similarly, dextrin also induced significant suppression of ghrelin (two-way ANOVA: P = 0.02), whereas Liposyn did not (P = 0.32). On the basis of these findings, it appears that intestinal lymph, which includes drainage from the interstitium of the GI mucosa, is enriched in ghrelin. Despite reduced deacylating activity in lymph, there is not a disproportionate amount of acyl ghrelin in this pool. The postprandial dynamics of ghrelin are slower in lymph than plasma, but the magnitude of change is greater. Assessing ghrelin levels in the lymph may be advantageous for studying its secretion and concentrations in the gastric mucosa.

Design of iodine-lithium-alpha-dextrin liquid crystal with potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

An ideal antimicrobial should be not toxic and possess board spectrum antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal activity, excluding resistance and should affect pathogen-mediated damage of host physiology including immune, nervous and endocrine systems. With the purpose of a combination of nonspecific antimicrobial action of molecular and ionized iodine with systemic immune-modulating property of the negatively charged polysaccharides a complex drug of iodine and lithium on a template of a alpha-dextrin liquid crystal was designed. The physicochemical model of iodine-lithium-alpha-dextrin (ILalphaD) is based on the human blood and the stereochemistry of moving equilibred systems of dynamically balanced organic polymers conformation complexed with the iodine and lithium molecules. Here we reviewed the antibacterial, antiviral, immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vivo and in vitro as well as pharmacokinetics, metabolism, chronic toxicity, cumulative properties, embryo toxicity and carcinogenicity of ILalphaD. Clinical efficacy, tolerability and safety of ILalphaD monotherapy have been evaluated in HIV-infected patients, administered intravenously for a total of 12 infusions in 4 cycles. ILalphaD therapy contributes to anti-HIV and anti-inflammatory effects, resolution of dermatological and neurological pathology and dramatically improves the quality of life reflecting on enhanced treatment adherence. ILalphaD appears to be safe and perspective for an adjuvant therapy of bacterial and viral infections, including HIV/AIDS, hypothyroid, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases for controlling pathogen production from infected cells, immune response, inflammation and metabolism.

A review of the role of soluble fiber in health with specific reference to wheat dextrin.

Dietary fiber is widely recognized to have a beneficial role in overall health, but only at adequate levels (25 - 38 g/day for healthy adults). Wheat dextrin in particular is a soluble fiber that can easily be added to the diet and is widely used in the food industry. There is some debate about whether increased intake of soluble fibers leads to health benefits. This paper reviews the evidence regarding the physiological effects and potential health benefits of the addition of soluble dietary fibers, with specific reference to wheat dextrin, based on a search of PubMed. The evidence suggests that soluble fibers help to regulate the digestive system, may increase micronutrient absorption, stabilize blood glucose and lower serum lipids, may prevent several gastrointestinal disorders, and have an accepted role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is concluded that supplementation with soluble fibers (e.g. wheat dextrin) may be useful in individuals at risk of a lower than recommended dietary fiber intake.

Using the lymph fistula rat model to study the potentiation of GIP secretion by the ingestion of fat and glucose.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is an important incretin produced in the K cells of the intestine and secreted into the circulating blood following ingestion of carbohydrate- and fat-containing meals. GIP contributes to the regulation of postprandial insulin secretion and is essential for normal glucose tolerance. We have established a method of assaying GIP in response to nutrients using the intestinal lymph fistula model. Administration of Ensure, a mixed-nutrient liquid meal, stimulated a significant increase in intestinal lymphatic GIP levels that were approximately threefold those of portal plasma. Following the meal, lymph GIP peaked at 60 min (P < 0.001) and remained elevated for 4 h. Intraduodenal infusions of isocaloric and isovolumetric lipid emulsions or glucose polymer induced lymph GIP concentrations that were four and seven times the basal levels, respectively. The combination of glucose plus lipid caused an even greater increase of lymph GIP than either nutrient alone. In summary, these findings demonstrated that intestinal lymph contains high concentrations of GIP that respond to both enteral carbohydrate and fat absorption. The change in lymphatic GIP concentration is greater than the change observed in the portal blood. These studies allow the detection of GIP levels at which they exert their local physiological actions. The combination of glucose and lipid has a potentiating effect in the stimulation of GIP secretion. We conclude from these studies that the lymph fistula rat is a novel approach to study in vivo GIP secretion in response to nutrient feeding in conscious rats.

Enhancement of swimming endurance in mice by highly branched cyclic dextrin.

We investigated the ergogenic effect in mice of administering highly branched cyclic dextrin (HBCD), a new type of glucose polymer, on the swimming endurance in an adjustable-current swimming pool. Male Std ddY mice were administered a HBCD, a glucose solution or water via a stomach sonde 10 min before, 10 min after or 30 min after beginning swimming exercise, and were then obliged to swim in the pool. The total swimming period until exhaustion, an index of the swimming endurance, was measured. An ergogenic effect of HBCD was observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight, whereas it had no effect at a dose of 166 mg/kg of body wt (p < 0.05). The mice administered with the HBCD solution 10 min after starting the exercise were able to swim significantly longer (p < 0.05) than the mice who had ingested water or the glucose solution. The rise in mean blood glucose level in the mice administered with HBCD, which was measured 20 min after starting swimming, was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in the mice administered with glucose, although it was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the mice administered with water. The mean blood insulin rise in the mice given HBCD was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in the mice given glucose. The mice administered with HBCD 30 min after starting the exercise swam significantly longer (p < 0.05) than the mice who had ingested water, although the enhancement of swimming time was similar to that of the glucose-ingesting mice. The gastric emptying rate of the HBCD solution was significantly faster (p < 0.05) than that of the glucose solution. However, this glucose polymer must have spent more time being absorbed because it has to be hydrolyzed before absorption, reflecting a lower and possibly longer-lasting blood glucose level. We conclude that the prolongation of swimming endurance in mice administered with HBCD depended on its rapid and longer-lasting ability for supplying glucose with a lower postprandial blood insulin response, leading to a delayed onset of fatigue.

[The effects of indigestible dextrin on sugar tolerance: III. Improvement in sugar tolerance by indigestible dextrin on the impaired glucose tolerance model].

Recently developed, Indigestible Dextrin (PF-C) is a low viscosity, water-soluble dietary fiber obtained by heating and enzyme-treatment of potato starch. It has an average molecular weight of 1600. Results from methylation analysis via gas chromatography show the indigestible portion to be a dextrin composed of alpha-1.4, alpha-1.6, beta-1.2, beta-1.3, and beta-1.6 glucosidic bonds and 1.6-anhydro-beta-D-glucose (levoglucosan) as part of the reducing terminal. Physiological attributes such as an improvement in sucrose tolerance and a reduction in blood lipid levels have since been demonstrated. In this study to establish a dose response for PF-C on blood glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose load, administration studies were conducted on normal rats and rats with impaired glucose tolerance. The results are summarized as follows: 1) To estimate an effective dose of PF-C on the reduction in blood glucose and insulin levels following an oral sucrose load, an oral sucrose (1.5g/kg body weight) tolerance test was conducted on rats. The increase in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose+PF-C (0.075, 0.15, 0.60, and 1.5g/kg body weight) load was significantly lower compared to the sucrose load. The results show that the most effective dose of PF-C was found to be 0.15g/kg body weight. 2) Another sucrose tolerance test was conducted on three different rat model groups with drug or diet induced impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance was achieved by injecting one group with streptozotocin at 1.5 days (60mg/kg body weight); a second group was injected at seven weeks (30mg/kg body weight), and a third group was fed on a high (65%) sucrose diet. For this sucrose tolerance test, the adult (7-week) streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and the high-sucrose diet rats on concurrent administrations of PF-C (0.15g/kg body weight) showed decreases in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose (1.5g/kg body weight) load. For the neonatal (1.5-day) streptozotocin induced diabetic rat group, reduced increases in plasma glucose were observed with no change in insulin levels as a result of concurrent administration of PF-C following a sucrose load.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of caloreen supplementation on some haematological values and urinary iron excretion during protein-energy malnutrition.

The effect of caloreen (glucose polymer) supplementation on indicators of iron status during protein-energy malnutrition was studied. Sixty-four children with moderate protein energy malnutrition (PEM) were fed diets supplemented with caloreen or starch (control) for 14 days, following which iron status as packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, and urinary iron levels were determined. Caloreen supplementation significantly increased (P less than 0.05). PCV, serum iron and serum ferritin and decreased (P less than 0.05) TIBC. Also, there was a tendency for Hb to increase and urinary iron to decrease in this group, but these changes were not statistically significant. Such changes were not observed in the starch-placebo-supplemented group. It is concluded that caloreen supplementation to PEM children increases body iron status. These increases in the indices of iron status may contribute to an early recovery of anaemia associated with PEM. Prolonged supplementation of a regular diet with glucose early in the development of PEM may retard the development and severity of anaemia in children.