Effects of a wheat bran extract containing arabinoxylan oligosaccharides on gastrointestinal health parameters in healthy adult human volunteers: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial

Abstract

<jats:p>Wheat bran extract (WBE) is a food-grade soluble fibre preparation that is highly enriched in arabinoxylan oligosaccharides. In this placebo-controlled cross-over human intervention trial, tolerance and effects on colonic protein and carbohydrate fermentation were studied. After a 1-week run-in period, sixty-three healthy adult volunteers consumed 3, 10 and 0 g WBE/d for 3 weeks in a random order, with 2 weeks' washout between each treatment period. Fasting blood samples were collected at the end of the run-in period and at the end of each treatment period for analysis of haematological and clinical chemistry parameters. Additionally, subjects collected a stool sample for analysis of microbiota, SCFA and pH. A urine sample, collected over 48 h, was used for analysis of<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>-cresol and phenol content. Finally, the subjects completed questionnaires scoring occurrence frequency and distress severity of eighteen gastrointestinal symptoms. Urinary<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>-cresol excretion was significantly decreased after WBE consumption at 10 g/d. Faecal bifidobacteria levels were significantly increased after daily intake of 10 g WBE. Additionally, WBE intake at 10 g/d increased faecal SCFA concentrations and lowered faecal pH, indicating increased colonic fermentation of WBE into desired metabolites. At 10 g/d, WBE caused a mild increase in flatulence occurrence frequency and distress severity and a tendency for a mild decrease in constipation occurrence frequency. In conclusion, WBE is well tolerated at doses up to 10 g/d in healthy adults volunteers. Intake of 10 g WBE/d exerts beneficial effects on gut health parameters.</jats:p>

The Roles of Indoxyl Sulphate and p-Cresyl Sulphate in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Review of Therapeutic Options

“…Preparations of lactic-acid bacteria, simulating a probiotic, have been shown to decrease serum IS concentrations by 30% and also reverse aerobic bacterial overgrowth [35]. Their use has been demonstrated to result in a signiicant decrease in urinary PCS and an increase in faecal biidobacteria [36]. Synbiotics, which represent a combination of pre-and probiotics, have similarly been demonstrated to reduce serum IS and PCS levels in CKD and haemodialysis patients [37][38][39].…”

Recent developments in prebiotics to selectively impact beneficial microbes and promote intestinal health

“…Wheat bran derived XOS in the form of a wheat bran extract were fed to 63 healthy adults at 0, 3 and 10 g/day over 3-week periods with 2-week washouts between treatment phases [46]. Bifidobacterial levels were increased on consumption of 10 g of extract per day and SCFA levels were increased together with a decrease in urinary p-creosol excretion indicating a beneficial shift in gut metabolism away from proteolysis towards saccharolysis.…”

Effects of Wheat Bran Extract Containing Arabinoxylan Oligosaccharides on Gastrointestinal Parameters in Healthy Preadolescent Children

“…AXOS are nondigestible fermentable prebiotic oligosaccharides with bifidogenic activity, as demonstrated in in vitro studies (3), animal studies [chicken (4,5), rats (6)], and clinical trials with healthy adults (7)(8)(9). The evidence for AXOS having prebiotic activity has been reviewed (1).…”

“…The evidence for AXOS having prebiotic activity has been reviewed (1). In addition, AXOS consumption decreases the excretion of urinary and fecal p-cresol, a marker of intestinal protein fermentation (7,8,10). Colonic protein fermentation is often regarded as detrimental to host health, in particular with respect to colon toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity (11).…”