BackgroundRecent knowledge in animals suggests that gut microbial metabolism may affect host metabolism, including appetite regulating hormones. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential effects of a whole grain barley kernel product, rich in intrinsic indigestible carbohydrates (dietary fibre and resistant starch), on markers of metabolism and appetite regulation in healthy subjects.MethodsBoiled barley kernels (BK) or white wheat bread (WWB; reference) were provided as late evening meals to 19 young adults in random order using a cross-over design. During subsequent ad libitum standardized breakfast and lunch meals (10.5-16 h), blood was collected for analysis of glucose, plasma insulin, adiponectin, ghrelin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), serum free fatty acids (FFA) and interleukin (IL)-6. In addition, appetite sensations, voluntary energy intake and breath H2 were determined.ResultsBK as evening meal increased plasma GLP-1 at fasting (P < 0.05) and during the experimental day (P < 0.01) compared with WWB. In addition the BK evening meal decreased fasting serum FFA (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease fasting serum IL-6 (P = 0.06). At lunch, preceded by BK evening meal, voluntary energy intake was decreased (P < 0.05) when compared to WWB evening meal. The BK evening meal decreased incremental blood glucose area (P < 0.01), promoted higher breath H2 (P < 0.001), maintained adiponectin concentrations (P < 0.05) and reduced perceived hunger (P < 0.05) during 10.5-16 h after the meal.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the BK evening meal, facilitate glucose regulation, increase the release of GLP-1, reduce subsequent energy intake while at the same time decreasing hunger over 2 subsequent meals, and reduce fasting FFA the subsequent morning, possibly mediated through gut microbial fermentation of the indigestible carbohydrates.

BackgroundDietary prevention strategies are increasingly recognized as essential to combat the current epidemic of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential prebiotic effects of indigestible carbohydrates in Swedish brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus) in relation to cardiometabolic risk markers and appetite regulating hormones.MethodsBrown beans, or white wheat bread (WWB, reference product) were provided as evening meals to 16 healthy young adults in a randomised crossover design. Glucose, insulin, appetite regulatory hormones, GLP-1, GLP-2, appetite sensations, and markers of inflammation were measured at a following standardised breakfast, that is at 11 to 14 h post the evening meals. Additionally, colonic fermentation activity was estimated from measurement of plasma short chain fatty acids (SCFA, including also branched chain fatty acids) and breath hydrogen (H2) excretion.ResultsAn evening meal of brown beans, in comparison with WWB, lowered blood glucose (−15%, p<0.01)- and insulin (−16%, p<0.05) responses, increased satiety hormones (PYY 51%, p<0.001), suppressed hunger hormones (ghrelin −14%, p<0.05), and hunger sensations (−15%, p = 0.05), increased GLP-2 concentrations (8.4%, p<0.05) and suppressed inflammatory markers (IL-6 −35%, and IL-18 −8.3%, p<0.05) at a subsequent standardised breakfast. Breath H2 (141%, p<0.01), propionate (16%, p<0.05), and isobutyrate (18%, P<0.001) were significantly increased after brown beans compared to after WWB, indicating a higher colonic fermentative activity after brown beans.ConclusionsAn evening meal with brown beans beneficially affected important measures of cardiometabolic risk and appetite regulatory hormones, within a time frame of 11–14 h, in comparison to a WWB evening meal. Concentrations of plasma SCFA and H2 were increased, indicating involvement of colonic fermentation. Indigestible colonic substrates from brown beans may provide a preventive tool in relation to obesity and the metabolic syndrome.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01706042

Background Manufacture of platelet concentrates (PCs) and plasma may fail to remove all residual red blood cells (rRBCs). Measuring rRBCs for compliance to guidelines has proven challenging, leading to an absence of a consensus methodology. Sysmex hematology analyzers with the Blood Bank mode (BB mode) analysis option offer the potential for automated rRBC counting. We therefore performed a two‐site appraisal of the system. Study Design and Methods Performance characteristics were determined using platelet and plasma samples spiked with RBCs. Sample stability (n = 47) and the impact of sample type were also assessed. Components (platelets, n = 1474; plasma, n = 77) prepared using different routine manufacturing methods were tested to assess variation in rRBC concentration. Results Linearity studies up to 19 000 RBCs/μL demonstrated good correlation between expected and observed results (R2 ≥ 0.9731), and flow cytometric results also correlated well with BB mode (R2 = 0.9400). Precision analysis gave a limit of quantitation of 6 to 7 RBCs/μL, and carryover was 0.03%. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and plain tube results were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.10), and samples were stable up to 24 hours. Apheresis PCs produced at two sites had lower rRBC concentrations (medians, 17 and 13 RBCs/μL) than those produced with the buffy coat method either manually (median, 681 RBCs/μL) or with the automated Terumo Automated Centrifuge and Separator Integration process (median, 81 RBCs/μL). All PCs failing visual inspection as having RBCs ≥4000 RBCs/μL were also detected by the BB mode. Conclusion The BB mode had acceptable performance characteristics and has the potential for integration into a fully automated process control system for rRBC enumeration in plasma and PCs.

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