Modulation of Postprandial Plasma Concentrations of Digestive Hormones and Gut Microbiota by Foods Containing Oat ß-Glucans in Healthy Volunteers

• Published in: Foods 2023-02, Vol.12 (4), p.700
• Main Authors: Gotteland, Martin, Zazueta, Alejandra, Pino, José Luis, Fresard, Andrea, Sambra, Verónica, Codoceo, Juana, Cires, María José, López, Ximena, Vivanco, Juan Pablo, Magne, Fabien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amylin; Appetite; Asymptomatic; Barley; beta-glucan; Biomarkers; Blood glucose; Breakfast foods; Cholesterol; Composition; digestive hormones; Digestive system; Fecal microflora; Feces; Food; Food products; Food science; Gastrointestinal tract; Ghrelin; Glucagon; Glucan; Glucans; Glucose; gut microbiota; Health aspects; Hormones; Hunger; Insulin; Intestinal microflora; Lactose; Leptin; Metabolism; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Molecular weight; Nutrition; Overweight; Plasma; Polypeptides; post-prandial glycemia; Sensation; Synthesis; Transit time; Viscosity; β-Glucan
• ISSN: 2304-8158; 2304-8158
• DOI: 10.3390/foods12040700

Cereal β-glucans are beneficial health ingredients that reduce cholesterolemia and postprandial glycaemia. However, their impact on digestive hormones and gut microbiota is not yet fully established. Two randomized, double-blind, controlled studies were conducted. In the first study, 14 subjects ingested a breakfast with or without β-glucan from oats (5.2 g). Compared to the control, β-glucan increased orocecal transit time ( = 0.028) and decreased mean appetite score ( = 0.014) and postprandial plasma ghrelin ( = 0.030), C-peptide ( = 0.001), insulin ( = 0.06), and glucose ( = 0.0006). β-glucan increased plasma GIP ( = 0.035) and PP ( = 0.018) without affecting leptin, GLP-1, PYY, glucagon, amylin, or 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, a biomarker of bile acid synthesis. In the second study, 32 subjects were distributed into 2 groups to ingest daily foods with (3 g/day) or without β-glucan for 3 weeks; stools were collected before/after treatment. No changes in fecal microbiota composition/diversity (deep sequencing) were detected with β-glucans. These results indicate that acute intake of 5 g β-glucan slows transit time and decreases hunger sensation and postprandial glycaemia without affecting bile-acid synthesis, these changes being associated with decreased plasma insulin, C-peptide, and ghrelin, and increased plasma GIP and PP. However, regular daily intake of 3 g β-glucan is not sufficient to have an effect on fecal microbiota composition.