In vitro modulation of the human gastrointestinal microbial community by plant-derived polysaccharide-rich dietary supplements.
The use of prebiotics is a possible strategy to manage and steer the complex gut microbial community towards a health-promoting composition (Gastrointestinal Resource Management). In this study, the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem was used to investigate the effects of two commercially-available plant polysaccharide supplements on the structure, composition and metabolism of an in vitro cultured colon microbial community. Microbial analyses showed both a bifidogenic (up to +1.3 log cfu/mL) and a lactobacillogenic (up to +0.9 log cfu/mL) effect during treatment with the dietary supplements. Quantitative PCR confirmed that the increase of Bifidobacteria spp. was statistically significant (P<0.05) in all of the colon compartments and showed a significant increase of the bacteroides-prevotella group concentration (+0.6 log cells/ml) in the compartment simulating the proximal colon. Denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis analyses and a relative ecological interpretation, in combination with sugar and short-chain fatty acids quantification, provided evidence of a positive effect of both the tested products. Overall, the treatment period was associated with (i) good and selective fermentability of the polysaccharide supplements along the entire colon; (ii) positive and selective bifidogenic effect; (iii) the possibility of enhancing species belonging to Bacteroidetes, a phylum recently associated with body weight management.
Marzorati
M
M
Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium. massimo.marzorati@ugent.be
Verhelst
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A
Luta
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Sinnott
R
R
Verstraete
W
W
Van de Wiele
T
T
Possemiers
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S
D001439:Bacteroides / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005685:Galactans / Q000737:chemistry; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007777:Lactobacillaceae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D056692:Prebiotics
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005685:Galactans; D053149:Plant Gums; D011134:Polysaccharides; D056692:Prebiotics; C005653:arabinogalactan