Information printed in BMC Medication indicated that prebiotics could exert completely different results on wholesome folks and those that are chubby or overweight, highlighting the potential of customized approaches to prebiotic interventions.
“Our findings contribute to the continuing debate concerning the efficacy of prebiotics in managing metabolic well being,” wrote researchers from Southern Medical College (China), the College of Studying (UK), Enjoyable-Poo Biotech (China) and Quantum Hello-Tech Organic Co., Ltd (China).
“The differential results of inulin and FOS seemingly stem from variations of their structural traits, fermentation profiles, sourcing and purification processes, doubtlessly mediated by key intestine microbes. Inulin and FOS, each categorised as prebiotics, differ of their diploma of polymerization, which impacts their fermentability and the manufacturing of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs can affect the composition and performance of the intestine microbiota in a different way, providing a potential clarification for the conflicting views on the therapeutic potential of prebiotics reported in earlier literature.”
Prebiotics
In keeping with the 2017 skilled consensus doc in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology by the Worldwide Scientific Affiliation for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), a prebiotic is outlined as: “A substrate that’s selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a well being profit.”
The Worldwide Probiotics Affiliation (IPA) formally adopted this definition not too long ago in a transfer described as “vital for advancing scientific analysis [and] growing efficient and evidence-based merchandise.”
“This choice signifies IPA’s dedication to advancing scientific readability, regulatory alignment and business harmonization throughout the prebiotic discipline,” IPA acknowledged in a press launch.
Inulin and FOS are among the many most established and characterised prebiotics. Each are fructans composed of fructose items, however they considerably of their diploma of polymerization (DP) and chain size. Inulin is usually longer with a better DP, “leading to decrease solubility and slower fermentation within the distal colon,” defined the authors of the brand new paper. Then again, FOS, which has a shorter chain size and a decrease DP, is extra soluble and is quickly fermented within the proximal colon.
“These variations have an effect on their affect on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) manufacturing, intestine microbiota modulation and subsequently leads to completely different results on host metabolism,” they wrote.
Examine particulars
The brand new examine included 131 adults, 97 of whom have been of a wholesome weight and 34 have been chubby and/or overweight. The contributors have been randomly assigned to 3 teams: One group acquired placebo (26 regular weight and 18 chubby/overweight), one other group acquired 15 g per day of inulin (30 regular weight and 14 chubby/overweight), and the third group acquired 15 g per day of FOS (31 regular weight and 12 chubby/overweight).
Outcomes of the four-week examine indicated that the placebo group exhibited no modifications in glycemic metabolism or intestine microbiota. In chubby/overweight people however not wholesome weight people, inulin was related to vital reductions in glucose ranges throughout an oral glucose tolerance take a look at (OGTT), decreased homocysteine (HCY) ranges and better fasting insulin ranges.
“Inulin robustly promotes bacterial operate concerned in folate biosynthesis and glutathione metabolism that exerts antioxidative stress results,” the researchers famous.
As well as, a 72% discount within the abundance of Ruminococcus was recorded within the inulin group. Inulin additionally decreased propionate ranges in all weight teams.
The researchers couldn’t determine which strains or species of Ruminococcus have been implicated however famous that earlier research have implicated Ruminococcus gnavus.
“Particularly, an elevated abundance of R. gnavus has constantly been noticed in people with metabolic circumstances akin to weight problems, sort 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus, coronary artery illness and alcohol-related liver injury, in addition to gastrointestinal ailments, akin to inflammatory bowel illness together with Crohn’s illness and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal most cancers,” researchers wrote. “These connections suggest that R. gnavus could have a detrimental affect on host metabolic well being, doubtlessly influencing the constructive results of inulin on glucose metabolism.”
In the meantime, FOS considerably decreased homocysteine ranges in each chubby/overweight people and people with a wholesome weight. FOS additionally led to vital will increase in fasting insulin ranges.
“The noticed HCY discount by each inulin and FOS suggests a typical mechanism seemingly involving enhanced anti-inflammatory results, whereas inulin’s further glycemic advantages could also be pushed by extra pronounced butyrate-mediated metabolic results or modulation of host glucose signaling pathways,” researchers urged.
“Virtually, inulin could also be extra appropriate for managing glycemic dysregulation in chubby or overweight people, whereas FOS could also be thought of for HCY discount in people with regular glycemic standing. Such focused use of prebiotics might complement present dietary and pharmacologic methods in customized metabolic care.”
Supply: BMC Medication, 2025, 23:372. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04189-6. “Differential results of inulin and fructooligosaccharides on intestine microbiota composition and glycemic metabolism in chubby/overweight and wholesome people: a randomized, double-blind scientific trial”. Authors: Jie Li, et al.
