Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats

Food & Function Pub Date: 2014-07-21 DOI: 10.1039/C4FO00504J

Abstract

This study evaluates the influence of novel galacto-oligosaccharides derived from lactulose (GOS-Lu), kojibiose or 4′-galactosyl-kojibiose in hematological parameters of Fe homeostasis using Fe-deficient animals. Liver TfR-2, IL-6, NFκB and PPAR-γ expression (mRNA) were also determined by RT-qPCR analyses, and active hepcidin peptide production and short chain fatty acids by LC coupled to MS/MS or UV detection. Feeding animals with GOS-Lu or kojibiose together with FeCl3 increased hemoglobin (Hb) production (by 17%) and mean Hb concentration into erythrocytes relative to animals administered with FeCl3 alone (14.1% and 19.7%, respectively). Animals administered with prebiotics showed decreased plasmatic hepcidin levels, contributing to a higher intestinal absorption of the micronutrient. These data indicate that concurrent administration of these potentially prebiotic oligosaccharides together with a supplement of Fe ameliorates inflammation-mediated perturbations in the liver, according to the particular structure of the prebiotic compound, and result an attractive strategy to improve Fe absorption.

Graphical abstract: Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats
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