Effects of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on glucose and lipid metabolism in mild hypercholesterolaemic individuals.
BACKGROUND
The intake of 10 g/day of short-chain-fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) has been shown to increase significantly bifidus counts and to produce high amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), presumed to influence glucose and lipid metabolism.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of moderate intake of sc-FOS on glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with mild hypercholesterolaemia.


METHODS
A randomized double-blind sequential cross-over study.


METHODS
Thirty subjects of both genders (20 M/10 F), mean age 45.5+/-9.9 years (M+/-SD), BMI 26.6+/-2.2 kg/m(2), with plasma cholesterol >5.17 and <7.76 mmol/l and plasma triglycerides <3.45 mmol/l, participated in the study. The study was performed after a wash-out period of 1 month and a run-in period of 1 month to stabilize patients on a standard diet (CHO 50%, fat 30%, protein 20%, fibre 20 g/day) plus placebo (maltodextrine plus aspartame 15 g/day). At the end of run-in, subjects were randomly assigned to receive sc-FOS (Actilight) (10.6g/day) or placebo (maltodextrine plus aspartame 15 g/day) with tea and/or coffee for a duration of 2 months and thereafter switched to the other treatment for additional 2 months. Plasma glucose, total and lipoprotein (VLDL, LDL, HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were measured in the fasting state at the end of run-in and of each treatment period. At the end of the two treatment periods, patients consumed a standard test meal (protein 15%, carbohydrate 34%, fat 51%, kJ 3988) 1h after the administration of 5.3g of sc-FOS or placebo; plasma glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride responses to the test meal were evaluated.


RESULTS
No significant difference in fasting parameters was detected between the two treatments. After sc-FOS and placebo plasma cholesterol levels were, respectively, 6.47+/-0.70 and 6.44+/-0.78 mmol/l (n.s.) and plasma triglycerides were 1.53+/-0.71 and 1.56+/-0.53 mmol/l (n.s.). No significant differences were observed in cholesterol and triglyceride content of VLDL, LDL and HDL and in plasma Apo A1 levels; conversely, fasting plasma Lp(a) concentrations were significantly increased after sc-FOS (37+/-38 vs. 33+/-35 mg/dl; P<0.005). Postprandial responses of glucose, FFA and triglycerides were not significantly different between sc-FOS and placebo, while postprandial insulin response (incremental area) was significantly reduced after sc-FOS compared to placebo (14,490+/-7416 vs. 17,760+/-7710 pmol/l x 300 min; P<0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
A moderate intake of sc-FOS has no major effects on lipid metabolism, both in the fasting and in the postprandial period, in individuals with mild hypercholesterolaemia. A small but significant increase of Lp(a) concentrations was observed with sc-FOS consumption together with a reduction of the postprandial insulin response; however, the clinical relevance of these small effects is unclear.
Giacco
R
R
Institute of Food Science and Technology of National Research Council, Avellino, Italy.
Clemente
G
G
Luongo
D
D
Lasorella
G
G
Fiume
I
I
Brouns
F
F
Bornet
F
F
Patti
L
L
Cipriano
P
P
Rivellese
A A
AA
Riccardi
G
G
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005215:Fasting; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D007328:Insulin; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D014280:Triglycerides; D005632:Fructose