Four-week short chain fructo-oligosaccharides ingestion leads to increasing fecal bifidobacteria and cholesterol excretion in healthy elderly volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) are increasingly used in human diet for their prebiotic properties. We aimed at investigating the effects of scFOS ingestion on the colonic microflora and oro-fecal transit time in elderly healthy humans. METHODS: Stools composition, oro-fecal transit time, and clinical tolerance were evaluated in 12 healthy volunteers, aged 69 +/- 2 yrs, in three consecutive periods: basal period (2 weeks), scFOS (Actilight) ingestion period (8 g/d for 4 weeks) and follow-up period (4 weeks). Two-way ANOVA, with time and treatment as factors, was used to compare the main outcome measures between the three periods. RESULTS: Fecal bifidobacteria counts were significantly increased during the scFOS period (9.17 +/- 0.17 log cfu/g vs 8.52 +/- 0.26 log cfu/g during the basal period) and returned to their initial values at the end of follow-up (8.37 +/- 0.21 log cfu/g; P < 0.05). Fecal cholesterol concentration increased during the scFOS period (8.18 +/- 2.37 mg/g dry matter vs 2.81 +/- 0.94 mg/g dry matter during the basal period) and returned to the baseline value at the end of follow-up (2.87 +/- 0.44 mg/g dry matter; P < 0.05). Fecal pH tended to decrease during scFOS ingestion and follow-up periods compared to the basal period (P = 0.06). Fecal bile acids, stool weight, water percentage, and oro-fecal transit time did not change throughout the study. Excess flatus and bloating were significantly more frequent during scFOS ingestion when compared to the basal period (P < 0.05), but the intensity of these symptoms was very mild. CONCLUSION: Four-week 8 g/d scFOS ingestion is well tolerated and leads to a significant increase in fecal bifidobacteria in healthy elderly subjects. Whether the change in cholesterol metabolism found in our study could exert a beneficial action warrants further studies.

KIT is required for hepatic function during mouse post-natal development.

BACKGROUND: The Kit gene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in various biological processes including melanogenesis, hematopoiesis and gametogenesis in mice and human. A large number of Kit mutants has been described so far showing the pleiotropic phenotypes associated with partial loss-of-function of the gene. Hypomorphic mutations can induce a light coat color phenotype while complete lack of KIT function interferes with embryogenesis. Interestingly several intermediate hypomorphic mutations induced in addition growth retardation and post-natal mortality. RESULTS: In this report we investigated the post-natal role of Kit by using a panel of chemically-induced hypomorphic mutations recently isolated in the mouse. We found that, in addition to the classical phenotypes, mutations of Kit induced juvenile steatosis, associated with the downregulation of the three genes, VldlR, Lpin1 and Lpl, controlling lipid metabolism in the post-natal liver. Hence, Kit loss-of-functions mimicked the inactivation of genes controlling the hepatic metabolism of triglycerides, the major source of energy from maternal milk, leading to growth and viability defects during neonatal development. CONCLUSION: This is a first report involving KIT in the control of lipid metabolism in neonates and opening new perspectives for understanding juvenile steatosis. Moreover, it reinforces the role of Kit during development of the liver and underscores the caution that should be exerted in using KIT inhibitors during anti-cancer treatment.

Long-term consequences of maternal high-fat feeding on hypothalamic leptin sensitivity and diet-induced obesity in the offspring.

Epidemiological and animal studies suggest that the alteration of hormonal and metabolic environment during fetal and neonatal development can contribute to development of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. In this paper, we investigated the impact of maternal high-fat (HF) diet on hypothalamic leptin sensitivity and body weight gain of offspring. Adult Wistar female rats received a HF or a control normal-fat (C) diet for 6 wk before gestation until the end of the suckling period. After weaning, pups received either C or HF diet during 6 wk. Body weight gain and metabolic and endocrine parameters were measured in the eight groups of rats formed according to a postweaning diet, maternal diet, and gender. To evaluate hypothalamic leptin sensitivity in each group, STAT-3 phosphorylation was measured in response to leptin or saline intraperitoneal bolus. Pups exhibited similar body weights at birth, but at weaning, those born to HF dams weighed significantly less (-12%) than those born to C dams. When given the HF diet, males and females born to HF dams exhibited smaller body weight and feed efficiency than those born to C dams, suggesting increased energy expenditure programmed by the maternal HF diet. Thus, maternal HF feeding could be protective against adverse effects of the HF diet as observed in male offspring of control dams: overweight (+17%) with hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, offspring of HF dams fed either C or HF diet exhibited an alteration in hypothalamic leptin-dependent STAT-3 phosphorylation. We conclude that maternal high-fat diet programs a hypothalamic leptin resistance in offspring, which, however, fails to increase the body weight gain until adulthood.

Dose effect of alpha-linolenic acid on lipid metabolism in the hamster.

In order to meet dietary requirements, the consumption of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n-3) must be promoted. However, its effects on triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol metabolism are still controversial, and may be dose-dependent. The effects of increasing dietary ALA intakes (1%, 10%, 20% and 40% of total FA) were investigated in male hamsters. ALA replaced oleic acid while linoleic and saturated FA were kept constant. Triglyceridemia decreased by 45% in response to 10% dietary ALA and was not affected by higher intakes. It was associated with lower hepatic total activities of acetyl-CoA-carboxylase (up to -29%) and malic enzyme (up to -42%), which were negatively correlated to ALA intake (r(2) = 0.33 and r(2) = 0.38, respectively). Adipose tissue lipogenesis was 2-6 fold lower than in the liver and was not affected by dietary treatment. Substitution of 10% ALA for oleic acid increased cholesterolemia by 15% but, as in TG, higher ALA intakes did not amplify the response. The highest ALA intake (40%) dramatically modified the hepatobiliary metabolism of sterols: cholesterol content fell by 45% in the liver and increased by 28% in the faeces. Besides, faecal bile acids decreased by 61%, and contained more hydrophobic and less secondary bile acids. Thus, replacing 10% oleic acid by ALA is sufficient to exert a beneficial hypotriglyceridemic effect, which may be counteracted by the slight increase in cholesterolemia. Higher intakes did not modify these parameters, but a very high dose resulted in adverse effects on sterol metabolism.

Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary blue lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in intact and ileorectal anastomosed pigs.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cholesterol-enriched casein (CAS) and blue lupin seed (BL) diets on the cholesterol metabolism of intact (INT) and ileorectal anastomosed (IRA) pigs. For 3 weeks, four groups of six pigs were allocated to the treatments (CAS-INT, CAS-IRA, BL-INT, and BL-IRA). Diet-induced hypercholesterolemia was inhibited by the BL through a substantial decrease in plasma LDL-cholesterol. The BL also reduced liver esterified and total cholesterol, increased hepatic LDL receptor synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity, and stimulated intestinal bile acid reabsorption. The neutral sterol output was higher in BL- than in CAS-fed pigs. The bile acid output was lower in IRA than in INT pigs. Surgery also prevented steroid microbial transformation, but it did not influence plasma cholesterol levels. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of the BL, compared with the CAS, is attributable to impaired intestinal cholesterol absorption, probably involving increased bile acid reabsorption and higher contents of dietary phytosterols, both factors that reduce the micellar solubilization of cholesterol. Furthermore, according to our data, the contribution of the large intestine to cholesterol metabolism is very weak.

Dietary raw peas (Pisum sativum L.) reduce plasma total and LDL cholesterol and hepatic esterified cholesterol in intact and ileorectal anastomosed pigs fed cholesterol-rich diets.

Previous studies demonstrated the cholesterol-lowering effect of dietary legumes (mainly soybeans) in animals and humans, but the mechanisms by which they exert this effect are not completely understood. The contribution of the hindgut to this hypocholesterolemic effect is also not well documented. The present work was undertaken to investigate the effect of cholesterol-enriched (2.8 g/kg) casein (C) and raw pea seed (RP) diets on the cholesterol metabolism of intact (I) and ileorectal anastomosed (IRA) growing pigs. Four groups of 6 pigs were allocated to the treatments (C-I, C-IRA, RP-I, and RP-IRA pigs) for 3 wk. Plasma total cholesterol was lowered by the RP diet through a significant decrease in LDL cholesterol. The RP diet also decreased the hepatic concentration of esterified cholesterol and increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase activity and LDL receptor synthesis. The biliary total cholesterol and bile acid concentrations were greater in RP- than in C-fed pigs. In addition, fecal bile acid output was higher in RP-fed pigs. The cecum-colon by-pass inhibited cholesterol and beta-sitosterol microbial transformation, lowered the bile acid output, and increased the primary to secondary bile acid output ratio, but its influence on cholesterolemia was negligible. These results suggest a hypocholesterolemic effect of the raw pea diet probably due to increased fecal bile acid output and an increased biliary bile acid concentration.

Effects of ileo-rectal anastomosis on cholesterol metabolism in pigs fed either casein or extruded soya beans.

The importance of legume proteins in cholesterol metabolism has been recognised, but the hindgut contribution is still unclear. The present work was undertaken to address the role of the caecum-colon in cholesterol metabolism in intact (I) and ileo-rectal anastomosed (IRA) pigs fed with casein or extruded soyabean (ES) diets. Four groups of six growing pigs were assigned to the treatments (casein-I, casein-IRA, ES-I, ES-IRA) for 3 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol were not modified by surgery or diet. In the liver, the ES diet significantly depressed non-esterified, esterified and total cholesterol. The treatments did not affect hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase or sterol 27-hydroxylase activities. In the gallbladder bile of ES-fed pigs, total cholesterol was depressed while total bile acid concentration was increased. IRA and the ES diet markedly decreased the biliary bile acid microbial metabolites (namely hyodeoxycholic acid) and increased the primary bile acids (mainly hyocholic acid). The concentration of bile hydrophobic acids was decreased only by the ES diet. Faecal neutral sterol output was increased in ES-fed pigs, but the bile acid and the sum of neutral and acidic steroid outputs were not. Microbial transformation of neutral and acidic steroids was markedly reduced by IRA, especially in the ES-fed pigs. Thus, surgery and ES modulated the steroid profile but the caecum-colon did not seem to play a crucial role in determining cholesterolaemia in pigs.

Lipid atherogenic risk markers can be more favourably influenced by the cis-9,trans-11-octadecadienoate isomer than a conjugated linoleic acid mixture or fish oil in hamsters.

The aim of our present study was to compare the efficiency of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) and fish oil in modulating atherogenic risk markers. Adult male hamsters were given a cholesterol-rich diet (0.6 g/kg) for 8 weeks; the diet was supplemented with 5 g cis-9,trans-11-CLA isomer/kg, 12 g CLA mixture (CLA-mix)/kg, 12 g fish oil/kg or 12 g fish oil+12 g CLA-mix/kg. The plasma cholesterol status was improved only with the cis-9,trans-11-CLA (HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol:LDL-cholesterol ratio, P<0.05), but was of borderline significance for CLA-mix (HDL-cholesterol:LDL-cholesterol ratio, P=0.06), with an increase (33-40 %) in the liver lipoprotein receptors (scavenger receptor-type I and LDL ApoB/E receptor) and HDL-binding protein 2 (P<0.05). A 100 % pigment gallstones incidence and a slight insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment index) were observed in the CLA-mix-fed hamsters (P=-0.031). In comparison, fish-oil feeding alone improved merely the scavenger receptor-type I and HDL-binding protein 2 liver status and faeces sterol output. For most of our present observations, the concomitant intake of fish oil and CLA-mix gave dominant effects that were exclusive and specific to one or the other oil. In conclusion, part of the beneficial effects of CLA in the present study can be ascribed to the cis-9,trans-11-isomer, and these did not generally overlap with those of fish oil. In addition, the CLA-mix effects are clearly affected by the marine (n-3) fatty acids.

Effects of dietary 27-hydroxycholesterol on cholesterol metabolism and bile acid biosynthesis in the hamster.

27-hydroxycholesterol (27OH-Chol) is an important endogenous oxysterol resulting from the action of sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) on cholesterol in the liver and numerous extrahepatic tissues. It may act as a modulator of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. The effects of 27OH-Chol on the main enzymes and receptors of cholesterol metabolism were investigated by feeding male hamsters a diet supplemented with 27OH-Chol (0.1% w/w) for 1 week. Intestinal scavenger class B, type I (SR-BI) protein level was decreased (-65%), but hepatic expression was increased (+34%). Liver 3beta-hydroxy-3beta-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (-58%), cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (-54%), oxysterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (-44%), and sterol 12alpha-hydroxylase (-70%) activities were all decreased. Bile acid composition was changed (fourfold increase in the chenodeoxycholic/cholic acid ratio). This study demonstrates that dietary 27OH-Chol modulates major enzymes of cholesterol metabolism and alters the biliary bile acid profile, making it more hydrophobic, at least at this level of intake. Its effects on SR-BI protein levels are organ dependent. The properties of 27OH-Chol or its metabolites on cholesterol metabolism probably result from the activation of specific transcription factors.

The Syrian golden hamster strain LPN: a useful animal model for human cholelithiasis.

The purpose of this study was to specify the main mechanisms at the origin of gallstone formation in very young (5-week old) or young adult (9-week old) LPN hamsters fed a sucrose-rich (normal lipid) lithogenic diet for one and four weeks, respectively. It was also to compare these mechanisms in the two strains of hamsters (LPN and Janvier) or when an anti-lithiasic diet was given by substituting 10% of the sucrose by beta cyclodextrin. The LPN strain of hamsters showed a very high incidence of cholesterol gallstones (73%) after receiving the lithogenic diet. The gallstone formation is very rapid and occurs in less than one week in very young hamsters which show a high cholesterol synthesis rate in the liver. The cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in the bile, cholesterol saturation index (CSI) and hydrophobic index (HI) increased significantly, concomitantly with a higher liver cholesterol synthesis in very young hamsters and with a lower bile acid synthesis (neutral pathway: cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, CYP7A1 and acidic pathway: sterol 27 hydroxylase, CYP27A1) in young adult hamsters. No significant changes in the lipoprotein receptor expression (LDLr, SR-BI) were observed after feeding the lithogenic diet. Adding ten per cent beta-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide that binds cholesterol and bile acids to the lithogenic diet at the expense of sucrose, induced a decrease in cholesterol bile secretion and in the CSI and HI and prevented cholesterol gallstone formation. Similarly, another strain of Syrian Golden hamsters (" Janvier ") which originally exhibited a smaller bile cholesterol concentration, lower liver cholesterol synthesis and higher CYP7A1/CYP27A1 activity ratio did not carry cholesterol gallstones when fed the lithogenic diet. The main parameters always found at the origin of cholelithiasis in the Hamster are discussed: a higher hepatic cholesterogenesis (HMGCoAR), a higher HMGCoAR/CYP7A1 activity ratio, a lower cholesterol ester storage capacity, a higher CYP27A1/CYP7A1 activity ratio correlated to a higher cholesterol secretion in the bile and higher CSI and HI. In LPN hamsters, the incidence of cholesterol gallstones is nil when CSI + HI < 0.8 and positive for CSI + HI > 0.9. An overall comparison of the data obtained in LPN Hamsters and in Man suggests that this hamster strain appears to be an interesting model for human cholelithiasis.