Long-chain inulin profoundly reduces plasma triglycerides in obese rats
The objective of this study was to study the effect of dietary interventions with prebiotics or a high-protein diet on body weight, glucose control and blood lipid responses. Lean and obese (cp/cp) male James C Russell corpulent (JCR:LA-cp) rats were fed 4 diets: a long-chain inulin (9% of Orafti®HP) supplemented diet, a high protein diet, a high protein and inulin supplemented diet (combination diet) and a control diet (not supplemented) for 3 weeks. Energy intake was lower in the inulin supplemented diet in lean and obese rats (P<0.05 vs. control). Weight gain did not differ between diets. Proglucagon mRNA expression in the colon was highest with the combination diet and this was associated with higher GLP-1 secretion (not significant from control). Both the inulin supplemented and the combination diets induced profound changes in plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol (P<0.05 vs. control for both plasma parameters). These changes were seen in both lean and obese rats, with the exception of the triglyceride lowering action of the combination diet which was marked in the obese rats and not in the lean ones. No differences in plasma glucose were observed between diets in lean rats, whereas in obese rats significantly lower fasting glucose levels were seen with the high-protein diet (P<0.05 vs. control).
In conclusion, long-chain inulin supplementation did not markedly affect GLP-1 levels, which is consistent with earlier observations showing merely an effect of shorter inulin chains (oligofructose). The profound reduction in plasma triglycerides and total cholesterol in obese rats consuming inulin is of high interest and indicates a beneficial action on lipid metabolism.
Reimer RA, Russell JC (2007) Glucose tolerance, lipids, and GLP-1 secretion in JCR:LA-cp rats fed a high protein fiber diet. Obesity 16: 40-46.
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