Galacto-oligosaccharides and colorectal cancer: Feeding our intestinal probiome

Abstract

Prebiotics are ingredients selectively fermented by the intestinal microbiota that promote changes in the microbial community structure and/or their metabolism, conferring health benefits to the host. Studies show that β (1–4) galacto-oligosaccharides [β (1–4) GOS], lactulose and fructo-oligosaccharides increase intestinal concentration of lactate and short chain fatty acids, and stool frequency and weight, and they decrease fecal concentration of secondary bile acids, fecal pH, and nitroreductase and β-glucuronidase activities suggesting a clear role in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention. This review summarizes research on prebiotics bioassimilation, specifically β (1–4) GOS, and their potential role in CRC. We also evaluate research that show that the impact of prebiotics on host physiology can be direct or through modulation of the gut intestinal microbiome, specifically the probiome (autochtonous beneficial bacteria), we present studies on a potential role in CRC progression to finally describe the current state of β (1–4) GOS generation for industrial production.

High purity galacto-oligosaccharides enhance specific Bifidobacterium species and their metabolic activity in the mouse gut microbiome

“…Reactions were carried out using standardized amounts of enzyme (0.5 U g/1lactose) in 5 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 5.0) and a similarly buffered solution containing lactose (200 g/L) at 30°C. Purity of the GOS90 product used in this study was determined as previously described (23, 27). …”

Galacto-oligosaccharides exert a protective effect against heat stress in a Caco-2 cell model

“…With the prospect of increasing global warming and increase in frequency and intensity of heat stress (Bouchama & Knochel, 2002), it is important to investigate preventive measures that can alleviate adverse effects of exposure to high environmental temperatures. Food supplemented with nondigestible oligosaccharides, including galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are known to support the maintenance of the gut homeostasis, modulate the intestinal microbiome, protect the intestinal barrier integrity and stimulate gut associated immunity (Bruno-Barcena & Azcarate-Peril, 2015;Jeurink, van Esch, Rijnierse, Garssen, & Knippels, 2013;Zhong et al, 2009). Considering these effects of GOS on improving gut health, we hypothesized that dietary GOS might protect the epithelial barrier against the heat stress-induced effects on HSPs expression levels, on oxidative stress, and on the intestinal barrier integrity.…”

High hydrostatic pressure stabilized micronutrients and shifted dietary fibers, from insoluble to soluble, producing a low-glycemic index mango pulp

“…The newer method, named the integrated fiber analysis methodology, incorporated improvements to simulate human digestion, remove components that cause overestimation and allows for quantification of resistant starch and the non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) contained in a sub-fraction of SDF. Quantification of NDOs, as soluble dietary fibers, has gained importance in recent years due to their contributions to human metabolism and promotion of a healthy microbiome (Bindels et al, 2015;Bruno-Barcena & Azcarate-Peril, 2015).…”