title: Effects of a wheat bran extract containing arabinoxylan oligosaccharides on gastrointestinal health parameters in healthy adult human volunteers: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.
abstract: Wheat bran extract (WBE) is a food-grade soluble fibre preparation that is highly enriched in arabinoxylan oligosaccharides. In this placebo-controlled cross-over human intervention trial, tolerance and effects on colonic protein and carbohydrate fermentation were studied. After a 1-week run-in period, sixty-three healthy adult volunteers consumed 3, 10 and 0 g WBE/d for 3 weeks in a random order, with 2 weeks' washout between each treatment period. Fasting blood samples were collected at the end of the run-in period and at the end of each treatment period for analysis of haematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Additionally, subjects collected a stool sample for analysis of microbiota, SCFA and pH. A urine sample, collected over 48 h, was used for analysis of p-cresol and phenol content. Finally, the subjects completed questionnaires scoring occurrence frequency and distress severity of eighteen gastrointestinal symptoms. Urinary p-cresol excretion was significantly decreased after WBE consumption at 10 g/d. Faecal bifidobacteria levels were significantly increased after daily intake of 10 g WBE. Additionally, WBE intake at 10 g/d increased faecal SCFA concentrations and lowered faecal pH, indicating increased colonic fermentation of WBE into desired metabolites. At 10 g/d, WBE caused a mild increase in flatulence occurrence frequency and distress severity and a tendency for a mild decrease in constipation occurrence frequency. In conclusion, WBE is well tolerated at doses up to 10 g/d in healthy adults volunteers. Intake of 10 g WBE/d exerts beneficial effects on gut health parameters.
authors.affiliation: FUGEIA NV, Arenberg Science Park, Gaston Geenslaan 1, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. isabelle.francois@fugeia.com
authors.forename: Isabelle E J A
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: François
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lescroart
authors.forename: Wim S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Veraverbeke
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marzorati
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Possemiers
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Evenepoel
authors.forename: Henrike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Windey
authors.forename: Gjalt W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Welling
authors.forename: Jan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Delcour
authors.forename: Christophe M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Courtin
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verbeke
authors.forename: Willem F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Broekaert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000254:growth & development; D003408:Cresols / Q000652:urine; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D014990:Xylans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003408:Cresols; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014990:Xylans; C032538:4-cresol; C085118:arabinoxylan