Effects of prebiotic inulin-type fructans on blood metabolite and hormone concentrations and faecal microbiota and metabolites in overweight dogs

Abstract

Because obesity is associated with many co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus, this study evaluated the second-meal effect of a commercial prebiotic, inulin-type fructans, and the effects of the prebiotic on faecal microbiota, metabolites and bile acids (BA). Nine overweight beagles were used in a replicated 3×3 Latin square design to test a non-prebiotic control (cellulose) against a low (equivalent to 0·5 % diet) and high dose (equivalent to 1·0 % diet) of prebiotic over 14-d treatments. All dogs were fed the same diet twice daily, with treatments provided orally via gelatin capsules before meals. On days 13 or 14 of each period, fresh faecal samples were collected, dogs were fed at 08.00 hours and then challenged with 1 g/kg body weight of maltodextrin in place of the 16.00 hours meal. Repeated blood samples were analysed for glucose and hormone concentrations to determine postprandial incremental AUC (IAUC) data. Baseline glucose, insulin and active glucagon-like peptide-1 levels were similar between all groups (P>0·10). Glucose and insulin IAUC after glucose challenge appeared lower following the high dose, but did not reach statistical relevance. Prebiotic intervention resulted in an increase in relative abundance of some Firmicutes and a decrease in the relative abundance of some Proteobacteria. Individual and total faecal SCFA were significantly increased (P<0·05) following prebiotic supplementation. Total concentration of excreted faecal BA tended to increase in dogs fed the prebiotic (P=0·06). Our results indicate that higher doses of inulin-type prebiotics may serve as modulators of gut microbiota, metabolites and BA pool in overweight dogs.

The Role of the Canine Gut Microbiome and Metabolome in Health and Gastrointestinal Disease

“…Potato fiber (102) and soybean husk (103) act mostly by enriching fiberfermenting Firmicutes bacterial groups, including Clostridium clusters IV (e.g., family Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii), and XIVa (e.g., family Lachnospiraceae, Blautia spp.). Inulin-type fructans also increased Firmicutes but from families Erysipelotrichaceae and Turicibacteraceae (21). Potato fiber, soybean husk and inulin-type fructans were also found to increase SCFA, including acetate, butyrate and propionate.…”

“…In humans, the consumption of an animal-based diet increases the abundance of bile-tolerant microorganisms and decreases the levels of Firmicutes, which includes species known to metabolize dietary plant polysaccharides. In dogs, similar to humans, increases in vegetable fiber content in extruded diets leads to increases in the overall abundance of Firmicutes and decreases in Fusobacteria and Proteobacteria (9,21).…”

The Effects of Nutrition on the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Cats and Dogs: Impact on Health and Disease

“…Prebiotics have also been shown to be a potential dietary intervention for promoting health in overweight or obese cats and dogs (Alexander et al, 2018). Although many studies have evaluated fiber intake in relation to weight loss, only a subset included evaluations of the microbiome.…”

“…Although prebiotic treatment had minimal impact on fecal microbiota and metabolites, some beneficial shifts occurred, including greater concentrations of fecal SCFAs. In addition, prebiotic treatment with inulin resulted in an increase in relative abundance of some members of the phylum Firmicutes and a decrease in the relative abundance of some Proteobacteria (Alexander et al, 2018). Additional studies in cats and dogs are needed to determine the mechanisms for the shifts in the GI microbiome and bile acid (BA) pool observed with prebiotics.…”

Effect of Added Dietary Betaine and Soluble Fiber on Metabolites and Fecal Microbiome in Dogs with Early Renal Disease

“…In humans with non-dialysis-dependent CKD, a three-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed a reduction in the microbial-derived uremic toxin p-cresyl sulfate with the consumption of fructooligosaccharide [ 19 ]. In addition, a small study in which nine overweight beagles were given inulin-type fructans found changes in metabolites and the gut microbiome [ 20 ].…”