Inulin alleviates acute alcoholism in mice by enhancing ethanol metabolism and regulating the intestinal flora

• Published in: eFood (Amsterdam) Vol. 5; no. 3
• Main Authors: Bai, Zhouya, Lan, Honglin, Luo, Denglin, Li, Xingguo, Zhang, Yunhui, Geng, Mengyuan, Chang, Shaohe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 01.06.2024
• Subjects: acute alcoholism; antialcohol effect; ethanol metabolism; Hovenia dulcis Thunb; intestinal flora; inulin
• ISSN: 2666-3066; 2666-3066
• DOI: 10.1002/efd2.152

Inulin, a recognized prebiotic with diverse biological activities, has not yet been reported for its potential in treating alcoholism. Therefore, this study investigated the antialcoholic effects of short, long, and phosphorylated long‐chain inulin and the possible mechanisms. An acute alcoholic intoxication mice model was established, with the water extract of Hovenia dulcis Thunb serving as a positive control. The different inulins were used for intervention, and the drunkenness of the mice was observed by an animal behavior experiment. The serum liver function indexes (TP, ALB, GLB, ALT, and ALP), as well as the activity of ethanol metabolizing enzymes (ADH and ALDH) in the liver were measured, and the changes in intestinal flora were analyzed. The results showed that short‐chain inulin could alleviate acute alcoholism by activating ethanol metabolizing enzyme activity and improving intestinal flora, and it had a potential protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. Short‐chain inulin could alleviate acute alcoholism by activating ethanol metabolizing enzyme activity and improving intestinal flora, and it had a potential protective effect on acute alcoholic liver injury in mice. Highlights Short‐chain inulin can reduce the rate of drunkenness, mortality, and shorten the sober time. Short‐chain inulin can improve acute alcoholism and liver injury. Short‐chain inulin activated ethanol metabolizing enzyme activity. Short‐chain inulin could improve the intestinal flora structure of mice with acute alcoholism.