IFF’s Litesse fiber shows gut microbiota and lipid metabolism impact in mice

16 Mar 2021 --- IFF’s Litesse polydextrose ingredient, a soluble specialty carbohydrate product with prebiotic properties, caused differential metabolite patterns in blood and adipose tissues in a new investigation. It was also seen to aid absorption of other dietary ingredients.

The study, now published in Nature, was conducted in collaboration with researchers from Afekta Technologies in Finland and the University of Oulu, Finland. 

Previous studies showed Litesse could alter the gut microbiota and reduce fasting triglycerides and total cholesterol plasma levels in mice being fed a Western diet.

The latest study used metabolomic analyses of tissue samples were conducted and revealed significant differences between mice fed with polydextrose and the mice in the control group.

“The previous findings were so interesting that we wanted to explore in more detail what is behind these positive changes in metabolism and microbiota,” says Markku Saarinen, senior scientist at IFF. “Thus, we extended the focus of the previous research to a molecular level.” 

Click to EnlargeFuture investigations will test the effects of Litesse fiber on humans.Hypolipidemic effects 
Litesse polydextrose was given to 10-week-old mice before blood samples were extracted and compared with those of a control group. Both groups were fed a Western-style diet, meaning a high intake of saturated fats and sucrose and a low fiber intake. 

Metabolomic analysis was conducted on the blood and epididymal adipose tissue samples, showing that Litesse polydextrose caused differential metabolite patterns. 

It also demonstrated that one-carbon metabolism, bile acid and tryptophan metabolism were associated with hypolipidemic effects in the mice receiving polydextrose. 

The inclusion of polydextrose in the diet may have also altered other dietary components’ absorption, resulting in the hypolipidemic effect.

“Metabolomic analytics are increasingly being used in food and nutrition research and when investigating research questions related to the function of gut microbiota,” explains Olli Kärkkäinen, CEO, Afekta Technologies.

“With metabolomics, it is possible to explore the conversion products made by gut microbiota from dietary components, and examine what kind of metabolic alterations they evoke in the circulation and potential target tissues.”

The researchers are calling for further studies on human subjects to verify and expand the findings.

“While there are many dietary fibers on the market today, not all fibers act in the same way,” flags Dr. Heli Anglenius, senior scientist at IFF. 

“Our study strongly supports this, which is why further investigation on whether the positive changes in lipid metabolism are also observed in humans is warranted,” Anglenius concludes.  

Edited by Louis Gore-Langton

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