title: Effects of whole-grain cereal foods on plasma short chain fatty acid concentrations in individuals with the metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from dietary fiber fermentation by gut microbiota have been identified as one of the mechanisms behind the association between habitual whole-grain intake and a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The aims of the present work are: (1) to evaluate whether a whole-grain wheat-based diet may increase SCFAs concentration, and (2) to identify possible associations between SCFAs and metabolic changes observed after the nutritional intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four subjects participated in the trial. They underwent a 12-wk dietary intervention based on whole-grain or refined cereal products. At baseline and after the intervention, glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol, inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, IL-1 ra, IL-6, and TNF-α), and SCFAs plasma concentrations were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, in the whole-grain group fasting plasma propionate concentrations were higher than at baseline, whereas a reduction was detected in the control group. The absolute changes (end of trial minus baseline) in fasting plasma propionate concentrations were significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.048). The absolute changes of fasting propionate correlated with cereal fiber intake (r = 0.358, P = 0.023), but no significant correlations with clinical outcomes were found. However, postprandial insulin was significantly decreased in the group having the absolute changes of fasting propionate concentration above the median value (P = 0.022 versus subjects with fasting propionate changes below the median value).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 12-wk whole-grain wheat-based diet increases fasting plasma propionate. This increase correlates with the cereal fiber intake and is associated with lower postprandial insulin concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy. Electronic address: c.vetrani@libero.it.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vetrani
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy; CNR-Institute of Food Science, Avellino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Costabile
authors.affiliation: CNR-Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luongo
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Naviglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rivellese
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Riccardi
authors.affiliation: CNR-Institute of Food Science, Avellino, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giacco
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002087:Butyrates / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood; D010349:Patient Compliance; D019518:Postprandial Period; D011422:Propionates / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D000067348:Whole Grains
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D002087:Butyrates; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D007328:Insulin; D053582:Interleukin-1alpha; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011422:Propionates; D014280:Triglycerides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Cardiometabolic diseases; Fiber fermentation; Inflammation; Postprandial insulin; Propionate; Whole-grains