Randomised clinical study: inulin short chain fatty acid esters for targeted delivery of short chain fatty acids to the human colon

Polyviou, T. et al. (2016) Randomised clinical study: inulin short chain fatty acid esters for targeted delivery of short chain fatty acids to the human colon. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 44(7), pp. 662-672. (doi: 10.1111/apt.13749) (PMID:27464984)

Abstract

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced through fermentation of nondigestible carbohydrates by the gut microbiota are associated with positive metabolic effects. However, well-controlled trials are limited in humans. Aims: To develop a methodology to deliver SCFA directly to the colon, and to optimise colonic propionate delivery in humans, to determine its role in appetite regulation and food intake. Methods: Inulin SCFA esters were developed and tested as site-specific delivery vehicles for SCFA to the proximal colon. Inulin propionate esters containing 0–61 wt% (IPE-0–IPE-61) propionate were assessed in vitro using batch faecal fermentations. In a randomised, controlled, crossover study, with inulin as control, ad libitum food intake (kcal) was compared after 7 days on IPE-27 or IPE-54 (10 g/day all treatments). Propionate release was determined using 13C-labelled IPE variants. Results: In vitro, IPE-27–IPE-54 wt% propionate resulted in a sevenfold increase in propionate production compared with inulin (P < 0.05). In vivo, IPE-27 led to greater 13C recovery in breath CO2 than IPE-54 (64.9 vs. 24.9%, P = 0.001). IPE-27 also led to a reduction in energy intake during the ad libitum test meal compared with both inulin (439.5 vs. 703.9 kcal, P = 0.025) and IPE-54 (439.5 vs. 659.3 kcal, P = 0.025), whereas IPE-54 was not significantly different from inulin control. Conclusions: IPE-27 significantly reduced food intake suggesting colonic propionate plays a role in appetite regulation. Inulin short-chain fatty acid esters provide a novel tool for probing the diet–gut microbiome–host metabolism axis in humans.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The work at the Stable Isotope Biochemistry Laboratory, SUERC was funded by BBSRC (BB/L004259/1 & BB/H004815/1). Hannah. C. Harris was funded by the BBSRC (BB/H532091/1).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Preston, Professor Tom and Edwards, Professor Christine and Morrison, Professor Douglas and Polyviou, Dr Thelma
• Authors: Polyviou, T., MacDougall, K., Chambers, E.S., Viardot, A., Psichas, A., Jawaid, S., Harris, H.C., Edwards, C.A., Simpson, L., Murphy, K.G., Zac-Varghese, S.E.K., Blundell, J.E., Dhillo, W.S., Bloom, S.R., Frost, G.S., Preston, T., Tedford, M.C., and Morrison, D.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing; College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
• Journal Name: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• ISSN: 0269-2813
• ISSN (Online): 1365-2036
• Published Online: 28 July 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 44(7):662-672
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License