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.


METHODS
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.
Letexier
Dominique
D
INSERM U 499, Faculté RTH Laennec, Lyon, France.
Diraison
Frédérique
F
Beylot
Michel
M
D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003903:Deuterium; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007444:Inulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D008055:Lipids; D010919:Placebos; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014280:Triglycerides; D007444:Inulin; D002784:Cholesterol; D003903:Deuterium