A Mixture of trans-Galactooligosaccharides Reduces Markers of Metabolic Syndrome and Modulates the Fecal Microbiota and Immune Function of Overweight Adults

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 143; no. 3; pp. 324 - 331
• Main Authors: Vulevic, Jelena, Juric, Aleksandra, Tzortzis, George, Gibson, Glenn R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.03.2013; American Society for Nutrition
• Subjects: Adult; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - growth & development; Bifidobacterium - drug effects; Bifidobacterium - growth & development; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - metabolism; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Feces - chemistry; Feces - microbiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Galactose - pharmacology; Galactose - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunity - drug effects; Immunoglobulin A - metabolism; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - prevention & control; Insulin - blood; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex - metabolism; Lipids - blood; Male; Metabolic Syndrome - drug therapy; Metabolic Syndrome - metabolism; Metagenome - drug effects; Middle Aged; Oligosaccharides - pharmacology; Oligosaccharides - therapeutic use; Overweight - drug therapy; Overweight - immunology; Overweight - metabolism; Overweight - microbiology; Prebiotics; Risk Factors; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; HDL-C; LDL-C; sIgA; FBC; B-GOS; FISH; NDO; FOS; G-CSF; BP; TC; Endocrinopathy; Nutrition; Metabolic diseases; Cardiovascular disease; Microflora; Metabolic syndrome; Mixture; Overweight
• ISSN: 0022-3166; 1541-6100
• DOI: 10.3945/jn.112.166132

Metabolic syndrome is a set of disorders that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The gut microbiota is altered toward a less beneficial composition in overweight adults and this change can be accompanied by inflammation. Prebiotics such as galactooligosaccharides can positively modify the gut microbiota and immune system; some may also reduce blood lipids. We assessed the effect of a galactooligosaccharide mixture [Bi2muno (B-GOS)] on markers of metabolic syndrome, gut microbiota, and immune function in 45 overweight adults with ≥3 risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in a double-blind, randomized, placebo (maltodextrin)-controlled, crossover study (with a 4-wk wash-out period between interventions). Whole blood, saliva, feces, and anthropometric measurements were taken at the beginning, wk 6, and end of each 12-wk intervention period. Predominant groups of fecal bacteria were quantified and full blood count, markers of inflammation and lipid metabolism, insulin, and glucose were measured. B-GOS increased the number of fecal bifidobacteria at the expense of less desirable groups of bacteria. Increases in fecal secretory IgA and decreases in fecal calprotectin, plasma C-reactive protein, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), TG, and the TC:HDL cholesterol ratio were also observed. Administration of B-GOS to overweight adults resulted in positive effects on the composition of the gut microbiota, the immune response, and insulin, TC, and TG concentrations. B-GOS may be a useful candidate for the enhancement of gastrointestinal health, immune function, and the reduction of metabolic syndrome risk factors in overweight adults.