MedPath

Acute Effects of Dietary Fiber on Postprandial Responses in Lean and Overweight Subjects

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Obesity
Diabetes
Interventions
Other: Glucose
Other: Inulin
Other: Resistant starch
Registration Number
NCT02795559
Lead Sponsor
University of Toronto
Brief Summary

It has been suggested that obesity occurs because the colonic microbes in obese individuals, compared to those who are lean, produce more short chain fatty acids during the fermentation of dietary fiber; this means that obese individuals obtain more energy from dietary fiber than lean. On the other hand, it is possible that the ability of colonic short chain fatty acids to improve glycemic control and suppress appetite may be reduced in obese subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the acute effects of 2 fibers commonly used as food ingredients, inulin and resistant starch, on postprandial serum responses of short chain fatty acids, glucose, insulin, free-fatty acids and selected gut hormones in lean and overweight or obese subjects.

Detailed Description

The human colon (large intestine) contains hundreds of species of bacteria which exist in a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship with their human host. The number and type of colonic bacteria varies in different people. Recent studies show that overweight individuals have different types of bacteria in their colons than lean subjects, and that as overweight subjects lose weight their colonic bacteria change to resemble those in lean subjects. It was suggested that this was because the bacteria in overweight people more efficiently ferment dietary fiber thus producing more SCFAs and providing more energy to the body. However, this is not consistent with other studies showing that high fiber intakes are associated with reduced risk of obesity.

Some studies have shown that overweight people have higher concentrations of SCFA in their stool samples. But the reasons for the difference in stool concentrations of SCFA have not been studied. Stool concentrations of SCFA may differ in lean and overweight people because of differences in type of bacteria in their colons, differences in dietary intakes or maybe because lean and overweight people absorb SCFA produced by bacteria differently.

Therefore, the objectives of this study were to:

1. determine the relationship between SCFA production and the acute effects of consuming an unabsorbed carbohydrate on blood SCFA, FFA, glucose, insulin, c-peptide and gut hormone responses in lean and overweight subjects

2. determine the types of bacteria in the stools of lean and overweight subjects

3. to see if the types of bacteria are correlated with body weight, the composition of the diet, breath gases, fecal SCFA and other demographic and lifestyle factors.

Healthy subjects with a BMI \<25 (lean) or between 25 and 35 (overweight or obese; OWO) took part in a 2 phase study. In phase 1 subjects recorded their dietary intake for 3 days and then provided a stool sample for analysis of micro-organisms and short chain fatty acids. In phase 2 overnight fasted subjects were studied on 3 occasions separated by about a week. On each occasion subjects consumed a control test meal of dextrose, or dextrose plus inulin or dextrose plus resistant start and had breath and blood samples taken at intervals over 4 hours. Subjects were then given a standardized lunch and had more blood and breath samples taken over the next 2 hours.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
25
Inclusion Criteria
  • over 18 years of age
Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant
  • BMI<18 or >39.9
  • diabetes
  • anaemia
  • use of diuretics of beta-blockers
  • regular user of antibiotics (≥1 course per year over the last 5 years)
  • any use of antibiotics within 3 months
  • use of laxatives, weight reducing agents, pre/probiotics or supplements known to influence gastrointestinal function within 3 months
  • presence of inflammatory bowel disease, malabsorption, motility disorder, gastrointestinal infection, short bowel, or other condition affecting gastrointestinal function
  • liver or kidney disease or major medical or surgical event (within the last 6 months) requiring hospitalization
  • high fibre intake (>30g/day) or other abnormal dietary pattern
  • on a weight-loss diet or not on their habitual diet in the two months prior to the study
  • unwilling or unable to give informed consent and/or comply with study protocol

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
OWOInulinSubjects who are overweight or obese (BMI between 25 and 40)
OWOResistant starchSubjects who are overweight or obese (BMI between 25 and 40)
OWOGlucoseSubjects who are overweight or obese (BMI between 25 and 40)
LeanGlucoseSubjects within the range of desirable body weight (BMI\<25)
LeanInulinSubjects within the range of desirable body weight (BMI\<25)
LeanResistant starchSubjects within the range of desirable body weight (BMI\<25)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Serum acetate response0 to 6 hours after the intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum acetate response from the lowest concentration achieved during the first 3 hours to the end of the study (6hr)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Protein intake3 days

From 3-day diet record, mean protein intake.

Carbohydrate intake3 days

From 3-day diet record, mean available carbohydrate intake.

Serum propionate response0 to 6 hours after the intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum propionate response from the lowest concentration achieved during the first 3 hours to the end of the study (6hr)

Energy intake3 days

From 3-day diet record, mean energy intake.

Dietary fiber intake3 days

From 3-day diet record, mean dietary fiber intake.

0-2 hour Glucose response0 to 2 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum glucose response from fasting to 2 hours.

Serum butyrate response0 to 6 hours after the intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum butyrate response from the lowest concentration achieved during the first 3 hours to the end of the study (6hr)

Fat intake3 days

From 3-day diet record, mean total fat intake.

Second-meal glucose response0 to 2 hours after lunch

Total area under the curve of the serum glucose response for 2 hours after lunch.

2-4 hour Insulin response2-4 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum insulin response from 2 to 4 hours.

Post-lunch active glucagon-like peptide-1 response0 to 2 hours after consuming lunch

Incremental area under the curve of the serum active glucagon-like peptide-1 response from 0 to 2 hours after lunch.

Post-lunch ghrelin response0 to 2 hours after consuming lunch

Incremental area under the curve of the serum ghrelin response from 0 to 2 hours after lunch.

Breath hydrogen response0 to 6 hours after the intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the breath hydrogen response from the lowest concentration achieved during the first 3 hours to the end of the study (6hr)

Fecal microbiota1 day

Ion Torrent V6 16S-rRNA sequencing for comparison of phyla

2-4 hour Glucose response2 to 4 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum glucose response from 2 to 4 hours.

0-2 hour Insulin response0 to 2 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum insulin response from fasting to 2 hours

Acute peptide tyrosine tyrosine response0 to 4 hours after consuming intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum PYY response from 0 to 4 hours.

Acute ghrelin response0 to 4 hours after consuming intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum ghrelin response from 0 to 4 hours.

Second-meal Insulin response0-to 2 hours after lunch

Total area under the curve of the serum insulin response for 2 hours after lunch.

2-4 hour c-peptide response2 to 4 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum c-peptide response from 2 to 4 hours.

Second-meal c-peptide response0-2 hours after lunch

Total area under the curve of the serum c-peptide response for 2 hours after lunch.

Post-lunch total glucagon-like peptide-1 response0 to 2 hours after consuming lunch

Incremental area under the curve of the serum total glucagon-like peptide-1 response from 0 to 2 hours after lunch.

0-2 hour c-peptide response0 to 2 hours after consuming treatment

Incremental area under the curve of the serum c-peptide response from fasting to 2 hours.

Acute active glucagon-like peptide-1 response0 to 4 hours after consuming intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum active glucagon-like peptide-1 response from 0 to 4 hours.

Free-fatty acid rebound0 to 4 hours after consuming intervention

Increase in serum free-fatty acid concentration from the lowest to the subsequent highest concentration before consuming lunch

Acute total glucagon-like peptide-1 response0 to 4 hours after consuming intervention

Incremental area under the curve of the serum total glucagon-like peptide-1 response from 0 to 4 hours.

Post-lunch peptide tyrosine tyrosine response0 to 2 hours after consuming lunch

Incremental area under the curve of the serum PYY response from 0 to 2 hours after lunch.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Glycemic Index Laboratories

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath