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Prebiotic effects of Jerusalem artichoke prevent hepatic steatosis in young rats submitted to a Western diet
Author(s) -
St-Pierre David H,
Lupien-Meilleur Joseph,
Ou Ya,
Lilya Melbouci,
Auclair Nickolas,
Marette André,
Emile Levy,
Denis Roy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.07487
Subject(s) - prebiotic , inulin , propionate , feces , gut flora , triglyceride , cholesterol , biology , medicine , steatosis , endocrinology , jerusalem artichoke , butyrate , obesity , chemistry , food science , biochemistry , ecology , fermentation
The gut microbiota is a key mediator of metabolic functions. Alterations in its microbial ecology are closely associated to obesity and ensuing disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of whole Jerusalem artichoke powder (JA; enriched in inulin prebiotic fibers) in a rodent model of diet‐induced obesity. Young rats (3 weeks old) were submitted to: 1) a Western diet (WD); 2) a WD supplemented with whole JA powder (10 %); or 3) a conventional CHOW diet for 8 weeks. Body weight, food consumption, fecal energy content and glucose disposal were measured. Muscle, liver and fat pads were weighted, intra‐organ fat accumulation was analysed in liver and muscles, and triglycerides and cholesterol levels were quantified in plasma. Fecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and metataxonomic analysis were also performed. As expected, body weight, fat accumulation (intra‐organ and fat pads), plasma triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in WD‐fed rats vs. CHOW‐fed rats. Energy intake and fecal energy excretion were not different in WD vs. JA animals. On the other hand, plasma triglyceride levels and intra‐organ fat accumulation were significantly reduced in JA‐supplemented rats. SCFA profiles were modified and the microbial production of propionate was increased in feces of the JA group (p <0.05). Such an upregulation of propionate synthesis was associated to potent changes in gut microbial ecology. Metataxonomic analysis showed that the treatment with JA significantly increased numbers of organisms from the Verrucomicrobiales and Bifidobacteriales orders. Therefore, the present results highlight the promising prebiotic potential of JA. This further supports the importance to consider JA for food‐based interventions against obesity and the onset of metabolic disorders. Support or Funding Information CMDO, NSERC, FRQS