Influence of Prolonged Whole Egg Supplementation on Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Product: Implications for Human Health and Gut Microbiota

Abstract

The gut microbiota exert a profound influence on human health and metabolism, with microbial metabolites playing a pivotal role in shaping host physiology. This study investigated the impact of prolonged egg supplementation on insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and circulating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In a subset of a cluster-randomized trial, participants aged 8–14 years were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) Whole Egg (WE)—consuming 10 additional eggs per week [n = 24], (2) Protein Substitute (PS)—consuming yolk-free egg substitute equivalent to 10 eggs per week [n = 25], and (3) Control Group (C) [n = 26]. At week 35, IGF-1 levels in WE significantly increased (66.6 ± 27.7 ng/mL, p < 0.05) compared to C, with positive SCFA correlations, except acetate. Acetate was stable in WE, increasing in PS and C. Significant propionate differences occurred between WE and PS (14.8 ± 5.6 μmol/L, p = 0.010). WE exhibited notable changes in the relative abundance of the Bifidobacterium and Prevotella genera. Strong positive SCFA correlations were observed with MAT-CR-H4-C10 and Libanicoccus, while Roseburia, Terrisporobacter, Clostridia_UCG-014, and Coprococcus showed negative correlations. In conclusion, whole egg supplementation improves growth factors that may be related to bone formation and growth; it may also promote benefits to gut microbiota but may not affect SCFAs.

Salidroside Alleviates Furan-Induced Impaired Gut Barrier and Inflammation via Gut Microbiota–SCFA–TLR4 Signaling

“…In addition, Muribaculaceae , Muribaculum , and Alloprevotella are also responsible for the production of SCFAs. A negative correlation between Clostridia_UCG-014 and SCFAs was observed by Suta et al To sum up, SAL exerted its influence on SCFAs by modulating the furan-disturbed intestinal flora, which in turn alleviated furan-induced intestinal inflammation as well as barrier damage.…”