Effect of oat and soybean rich in distinct non-starch polysaccharides on fermentation, appetite regulation and fat accumulation in rat

Soybean hull polysaccharides ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-fed zebrafish

Soybean hull polysaccharide (ASP), a pectic polysaccharide with potential effects on regulating lipid metabolism through gut microbiota and their metabolites, was studied to explore its regulatory mechanisms. The study examined the alleviating effect of ASP on high-fat diet (HFD) zebrafish through histopathological examination and biochemical analysis. Additionally, the lipid-lowering mechanism was analyzed combined with metabolomics and the proliferation of gut microbiota. Results showed that ASP significantly ameliorated body weight and blood lipids and also reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and hepatic lipid peroxidation damage. Bioinformatics analyses showed that ASP administration (240 μg/day) generated significant gut microbiota structural changes in high-fat diet-fed zebrafish, in particular, reducing Proteobacteria and increasing Cetobacterium relative abundance levels. ASP upregulates propionic acid, linoleic acid, 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and l-threonine biosynthesis by mediating gut microbiota regulation of amino acid and lipid metabolic pathways. Utilizing a correlation network derived from Spearman's correlation coefficients, significant microbial phylotypes that react to ASP demonstrated a strong association with parameters linked to lipid metabolic disorders. Fecal metabolites (e.g. propionic acid) were positively correlated with gut microbiota (e.g. Cetobacterium) in the high-dose ASP group. Our results provide a theoretical basis for new ASP prebiotic formulations to target the gut microbiota and prevent lipid metabolic disorders.

Gut Microbiota and Metabolites Mediate Health Benefits of Oat and Oat Bran Consumption in IBD Mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, the environment, and gut microbiota. The incidence of IBD is increasing globally. Previous studies have shown that interactions between diet and gut microbiota influence the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD. Proper dietary nutrition including oat and oat bran regulates chronic inflammation, which is essential for individual health, and is one of the essential factors in reducing inflammation in the body and keeping the immune system functioning properly, which plays a role in the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, the mechanism of action of whether oat and oat bran will alleviate chronic inflammation by modulating intestinal flora and metabolites remains unknown.

METHODS

Therefore, in this study, we have used a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) chronic colitis to analyze the composition of intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acid content, and the expression of the relevant genes.

RESULTS

The results showed that diets supplemented with oat and oat bran improved intestinal barrier parameters, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors, modulated the composition of intestinal microbiota, and increased the content of short-chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides strong evidence that dietary interventions with oats or oat bran may have potential applications in clinical nutrition and dietary interventions for chronic IBD.

Oat β-(1 → 3, 1 → 4)-d-glucan alleviates food allergy-induced colonic injury in mice by increasing Lachnospiraceae abundance and butyrate production

Oat β-(1 → 3, 1 → 4)-d-glucan (OBG), a linear polysaccharide primarily found in oat bran, has been demonstrated to possess immunomodulatory properties and regulate gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the impact of low molecular weight (Mw) OBG (155.2 kDa) on colonic injury and allergic symptoms induced by food allergy (FA), and to explore its potential mechanism. In Experiment 1, results indicated that oral OBG improved colonic inflammation and epithelial barrier, and significantly relieved allergy symptoms. Importantly, the OBG supplement altered the gut microbiota composition, particularly increasing the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and its genera, and promoted the production of short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate. However, in Experiment 2, the gut microbial depletion eliminated these protective effects of OBG on the colon in allergic mice. Further, in Experiment 3, fecal microbiota transplantation and sterile fecal filtrate transfer directly validated the role of OBG-mediated gut microbiota and its metabolites in relieving FA and its induced colonic injury. Our findings suggest that low Mw OBG can alleviate FA-induced colonic damage by increasing Lachnospiraceae abundance and butyrate production, and provide novel insights into the health benefits and mechanisms of dietary polysaccharide intervention for FA.

The Gut Connection: Exploring the Possibility of Implementing Gut Microbial Metabolites in Lymphoma Treatment

Recent research has implicated the gut microbiota in the development of lymphoma. Dysbiosis of the gut microbial community can disrupt the production of gut microbial metabolites, thereby impacting host physiology and potentially contributing to lymphoma. Dysbiosis-driven release of gut microbial metabolites such as lipopolysaccharides can promote chronic inflammation, potentially elevating the risk of lymphoma. In contrast, gut microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, have shown promise in preclinical studies by promoting regulatory T-cell function, suppressing inflammation, and potentially preventing lymphoma. Another metabolite, urolithin A, exhibited immunomodulatory and antiproliferative properties against lymphoma cell lines in vitro. While research on the role of gut microbial metabolites in lymphoma is limited, this article emphasizes the need to comprehend their significance, including therapeutic applications, molecular mechanisms of action, and interactions with standard chemotherapies. The article also suggests promising directions for future research in this emerging field of connection between lymphoma and gut microbiome.

Differential effects of plant-based flours on metabolic homeostasis and the gut microbiota in high-fat fed rats

BACKGROUND

The gut microbiome is a salient contributor to the development of obesity, and diet is the greatest modifier of the gut microbiome, which highlights the need to better understand how specific diets alter the gut microbiota to impact metabolic disease. Increased dietary fiber intake shifts the gut microbiome and improves energy and glucose homeostasis. Dietary fibers are found in various plant-based flours which vary in fiber composition. However, the comparative efficacy of specific plant-based flours to improve energy homeostasis and the mechanism by which this occurs is not well characterized.

METHODS

In experiment 1, obese rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) supplemented with four different plant-based flours for 12 weeks. Barley flour (BF), oat bran (OB), wheat bran (WB), and Hi-maize amylose (HMA) were incorporated into the HFD at 5% or 10% total fiber content and were compared to a HFD control. For experiment 2, lean, chow-fed rats were switched to HFD supplemented with 10% WB or BF to determine the preventative efficacy of flour supplementation.

RESULTS

In experiment 1, 10% BF and 10% WB reduced body weight and adiposity gain and increased cecal butyrate. Gut microbiota analysis of WB and BF treated rats revealed increases in relative abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria. 10% WB and BF were also efficacious in preventing HFD-induced obesity; 10% WB and BF decreased body weight and adiposity, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced inflammatory markers and lipogenic enzyme expression in liver and adipose tissue. These effects were accompanied by alterations in the gut microbiota including increased relative abundance of Lactobacillus and LachnospiraceaeUCG001, along with increased portal taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) in 10% WB and BF rats compared to HFD rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic and preventative supplementation with 10%, but not 5%, WB or BF improves metabolic homeostasis, which is possibly due to gut microbiome-induced alterations. Specifically, these effects are proposed to be due to increased concentrations of intestinal butyrate and circulating TDCA.

Impact of Oat (Avena sativa L.) on Metabolic Syndrome and Potential Physiological Mechanisms of Action: A Current Review

Oat (Avena sativa L.), an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Gramineae family, is widely grown in various regions including EU, Canada, America, Australia, etc. Due to the nutritional and pharmacological values, oats have been developed into various functional food including fermented beverage, noodle, cookie, etc. Meanwhile, numerous studies have demonstrated that oats may effectively improve metabolic syndrome, such as dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity. However, the systematic pharmacological mechanisms of oats on metabolic syndrome have not been fully revealed. Therefore, in order to fully explore the benefits of oat in food industry and clinic, this review aims to provide up-to-date information on oat and its constituents, focusing on the effects on metabolic syndrome.

Insights into the fermentation patterns of wheat bran cell wall polysaccharides using an in-vitro batch fermentation model

We aimed to study the structural characteristics and fermentation properties of wheat bran cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs). Sequential extractions of CWPs from wheat bran produced the water-extractable (WE) and alkali-extractable (AE) fractions. The extracted fractions were structurally characterized based on their molecular weight (Mw) and monosaccharide composition. Our findings revealed that the Mw and the ratio of arabinose to xylose (A/X) of AE were higher than those of WE and that the two fractions were mainly composed of arabinoxylans (AXs). The substrates were then subjected to in vitro fermentation by human fecal microbiota. As fermentation progressed, the total carbohydrates of WE were significantly more utilized than that of AE (p < 0.05). The AXs in WE were utilized at a higher rate than those in AE. The relative abundance of Prevotella_9, which can efficiently utilize AXs, was significantly increased in AE. The presence of AXs in AE shifted the balance away from protein fermentation and caused a delay in protein fermentation. Our study demonstrated that wheat bran CWPs can modulate the gut microbiota in a structure-dependent manner. However, future studies should further characterize the fine structure of wheat CWPs to clarify their detailed relationship with gut microbiota and metabolites.

Recent progress in plant-derived polysaccharides with prebiotic potential for intestinal health by targeting gut microbiota: a review

Natural products of plant origin are of high interest and widely used, especially in the food industry, due to their low toxicity and wide range of bioactive properties. Compared to other plant components, the safety of polysaccharides has been generally recognized. As dietary fibers, plant-derived polysaccharides are mostly degraded in the intestine by polysaccharide-degrading enzymes secreted by gut microbiota, and have potential prebiotic activity in both non-disease and disease states, which should not be overlooked, especially in terms of their involvement in the treatment of intestinal diseases and the promotion of intestinal health. This review elucidates the regulatory effects of plant-derived polysaccharides on gut microbiota and summarizes the mechanisms involved in targeting gut microbiota for the treatment of intestinal diseases. Further, the structure-activity relationships between different structural types of plant-derived polysaccharides and the occurrence of their prebiotic activity are further explored. Finally, the practical applications of plant-derived polysaccharides in food production and food packaging are summarized and discussed, providing important references for expanding the application of plant-derived polysaccharides in the food industry or developing functional dietary supplements.

Soy and Gastrointestinal Health: A Review

Soybean is the most economically important legume globally, providing a major source of plant protein for millions of people; it offers a high-quality, cost-competitive and versatile base-protein ingredient for plant-based meat alternatives. The health benefits of soybean and its constituents have largely been attributed to the actions of phytoestrogens, which are present at high levels. Additionally, consumption of soy-based foods may also modulate gastrointestinal (GI) health, in particular colorectal cancer risk, via effects on the composition and metabolic activity of the GI microbiome. The aim of this narrative review was to critically evaluate the emerging evidence from clinical trials, observational studies and animal trials relating to the effects of consuming soybeans, soy-based products and the key constituents of soybeans (isoflavones, soy proteins and oligosaccharides) on measures of GI health. Our review suggests that there are consistent favourable changes in measures of GI health for some soy foods, such as fermented rather than unfermented soy milk, and for those individuals with a microbiome that can metabolise equol. However, as consumption of foods containing soy protein isolates and textured soy proteins increases, further clinical evidence is needed to understand whether these foods elicit similar or additional functional effects on GI health.

Impact of Oats on Appetite Hormones and Body Weight Management: A Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This study aims to review the hunger hormones in obesity management and the impact of oats in regulating these hormones for hunger suppression and body weight management. In this review, the impact of various edible forms of oats like whole, naked, sprouted, or supplemented has been investigated for their appetite hormones regulation and weight management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The onset of obesity has been greatly associated with the appetite-regulating hormones that control, regulate, and suppress hunger, satiety, or energy expenditure. Many observational and clinical studies prove that oats have a positive effect on anthropometric measures like BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, lipid profile, total cholesterol, weight, appetite, and blood pressure. Many studies support the concept that oats are rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn, free phenolics, ß-glucan, ferulic acid, avenanthramides, and many more. Beta-glucan is the most important bioactive component that lowers cholesterol levels and supports the defense system of the body to prevent infections. Hence, several clinical studies supported oats utilization against obesity, appetite hormones, and energy regulation but still, some studies have shown no or little significance on appetite. Results of various studies revealed the therapeutic potentials of oats for body weight management, appetite control, strengthening the immune system, lowering serum cholesterol, and gut microbiota promotion by increased production of short-chain fatty acids.

Effects of prebiotics in combination with probiotics on intestinal hydrolase activity, microbial population and immunological biomarkers in SD rats fed an AIN-93G diet

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal microbiota, which comprises hundreds of different types of microbes, biologically plays crucial roles in the host's health. Probiotics (PRO) did not always have a positive benefit on the host, depending on strains of microbes and the physiochemical properties of prebiotics (PRE), indicating that the properties of PRE in combination with PRO might have different effects on the gut ecology. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of insoluble or soluble PRE with PRO on intestinal digestive hydrolase, the fecal microbes, and immunological biomarkers in SD rats fed an AIN-93G diet.

RESULTS

Forty, 8-week-old SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 10 replicates in each; cellulose (CELL), cellulose + probiotics (CELPRO), oatmeal (OATS), and oatmeal + probiotics (OATPRO) groups. After 4-week feeding trial, rats were treated with saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg) to examine the alleviating effects of PRO and PRE on immunological responses. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in feed intake of rats fed the oatmeal supplemented diet without affecting growth performance. Blood triglyceride was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in rats fed the oatmeal diet, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in rats fed the PRO supplemented diet. Intestinal maltase, sucrose, and lactase activities were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in rats fed PRO compared with rats not fed PRO. Rats fed the oatmeal showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the fecal colony forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared with those fed cellulose. LPS-treated rats fed PRO showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in blood secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) compared with those not fed PRO. The LPS-treated rats fed PRO resulted in decreased (p < 0.05) blood IL-6 compared with those not fed PRO, indicating that a dietary PRO alleviated inflammatory response in LPS-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary oatmeal increased fecal microbes, and PRO supplement resulted in increased intestinal hydrolase and immune functions of the host, demonstrating that soluble PRE with supplemented with PRO could be a more bioactive combination of synbiotics in SD rats.

Sulfation modification enhances the intestinal regulation of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharides in cyclophosphamide-treated mice via restoring intestinal mucosal barrier function and modulating gut microbiota

This work aimed to investigate the effects of a sulfated derivative of Cyclocarya paliurus polysaccharide (SCP3) on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced intestinal barrier damage and intestinal microbiota in mice. The results showed that SCP3 increased the intestine antioxidant defense, repaired the intestinal barrier via restoring villi length and crypt depth, and up-regulated the expression of tight junction proteins. Bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing results confirmed that SCP3 dramatically altered the structure of the gut microbiota, increased the diversity of gut microbiota, and regulated the relative abundances of specific bacteria, including increasing the abundances of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Tenericutes, Oscillospira, and Akkermansia, and decreasing the abundances of Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. In conclusion, SCP3 can improve intestinal function in CTX-treated mice via enhancing the intestinal oxidative stress capacity, repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier, and regulating intestinal microorganisms, and this study provides a scientific theoretical basis for the application of SCP3 in the food and pharmaceutical fields.

Dietary fiber-derived short-chain fatty acids: A potential therapeutic target to alleviate obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Over the past several decades, increasing global prevalence of obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been one of main challenges to human health. Recently, increasing evidence has validated connections among short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a physiologically relevant concentration, the intestinal microbiota, and host metabolism. In this review, we summarized crosstalk between SCFAs and host metabolism in relation to NAFLD pathophysiology, focusing on recent advances. Firstly, how SCFAs are generated and absorbed under different nutritional conditions in the gut. Secondly, how SCFAs maintain gut barrier and alleviate hepatic inflammatory responses. Thirdly, how SCFAs maintain hepatic energy balance through controlling appetite and mediating the glucose homeostasis at the systemic level. Fourthly, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPRs) are widely involved in the above metabolic processes regulated by SCFAs. Overall, this review aimed to provide new insights into the prospects of SCFAs as a potential therapeutic target in management of liver diseases.

Therapeutic Potential of Various Plant-Based Fibers to Improve Energy Homeostasis via the Gut Microbiota

Obesity is due in part to increased consumption of a Western diet that is low in dietary fiber. Conversely, an increase in fiber supplementation to a diet can have various beneficial effects on metabolic homeostasis including weight loss and reduced adiposity. Fibers are extremely diverse in source and composition, such as high-amylose maize, β-glucan, wheat fiber, pectin, inulin-type fructans, and soluble corn fiber. Despite the heterogeneity of dietary fiber, most have been shown to play a role in alleviating obesity-related health issues, mainly by targeting and utilizing the properties of the gut microbiome. Reductions in body weight, adiposity, food intake, and markers of inflammation have all been reported with the consumption of various fibers, making them a promising treatment option for the obesity epidemic. This review will highlight the current findings on different plant-based fibers as a therapeutic dietary supplement to improve energy homeostasis via mechanisms of gut microbiota.

Challenges of pectic polysaccharides as a prebiotic from the perspective of fermentation characteristics and anti-colitis activity

Several studies are described that contribute to the systematic exploration of new aspects of digestion, fermentation, and biological activities of pectic polysaccharides (PPS) leading to a better understanding of prebiotics. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is thought to be associated with the dysbacteriosis induced by different environmental agents in genetically susceptible persons. PPS are considered as an indispensable gut-microbiota-accessible carbohydrate that play a dominant role in maintaining gut microbiota balance and show a better effect in ameliorating IBD than some traditional prebiotics. The aim of this review is to summarize the fermentation characteristics of PPS, highlight its role in improving IBD, and propose a view that PPS may be a new and effective prebiotic.

Oat-Derived β-Glucans Induced Trained Immunity Through Metabolic Reprogramming

Trained immunity has been recently identified in innate immune cells, which undergo long-term epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming after exposure to pathogens for protection from secondary infections. (1, 3)/(1, 6)-β-glucan derived from fungi can induce potent trained immunity; however, the effect of (1, 3)/(1, 4)-β-glucan (rich in dietary fiber oat) on trained immunity has not been reported. In the present study, two cell culture systems for trained immunity induction were validated in monocytes/macrophages from mouse bone myeloid and human THP-1 cells exposed to positive inducers of trained immunity, including β-glucan from Trametes versicolor or human-oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Primed with oat β-glucan, the mRNA expression and production of TNF-α and IL-6 significantly increased in response to re-stimulation of TLR-4/2 ligands. Moreover, the expression of several key enzymes in glycolytic pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle was significantly upregulated. In addition, inhibiting these enzymes decreased the production of TNF-α and IL-6 boosted by oat β-glucan. These results show that oat β-glucan induces trained immunity through metabolic reprogramming. This provides important evidence that dietary fiber can maintain the long-term responsiveness of the innate immune system, which may benefit for prevention of infectious diseases or cancers.

β-Glucans as a panacea for a healthy heart? Their roles in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Factors increasing the risks for CVD development are related to obesity, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and lifestyle. CVD risk factors may be treated with appropriate drugs, but prolonged can use cause undesirable side-effects. Among the natural products used in complementary and alternative medicines, are the β-ᴅ-glucans; biopolymers found in foods (cereals, mushrooms), and can easily be produced by microbial fermentation. Independent of source, β-glucans of the mixed-linked types [(1 → 3)(1 → 6)-β-ᴅ-glucans - fungal, and (1 → 3)(1 → 4)-β-ᴅ-glucans - cereal] have widely been studied because of their biological activities, and have demonstrated cardiovascular protective effects. In this review, we discuss the roles of β-ᴅ-glucans in various pathophysiological conditions that lead to CVDs including obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke. The β-glucans from all of the sources cited demonstrated potential hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesogenicity activities, reduced hypertension and ameliorated the atherosclerosis condition. More recently, β-glucans are recognized as possessing prebiotic properties that modulate the gut microbiome and impact on the health benefits including cardiovascular. Overall, all the studies investigated unequivocally demonstrated the dietary benefits of consuming β-glucans regardless of source, thus constituting a promising panaceutical approach to reduce CVD risk factors.

Cecal metabolome fingerprint in a rat model of decompression sickness with neurological disorders

Massive bubble formation after diving can lead to decompression sickness (DCS), which can result in neurological disorders. We demonstrated that hydrogen production from intestinal fermentation could exacerbate DCS in rats fed with a standard diet. The aim of this study is to identify a fecal metabolomic signature that may result from the effects of a provocative hyperbaric exposure. The fecal metabolome was studied in two groups of rats previously fed with maize or soy in order to account for diet effects. 64 animals, weighing 379.0_20.2 g on the day of the dive, were exposed to the hyperbaric protocol. The rats were separated into two groups: 32 fed with maize (Div MAIZE) and 32 fed with soy (Div SOY). Gut fermentation before the dive was estimated by measuring exhaled hydrogen. Following hyperbaric exposure, we assessed for signs of DCS. Blood was analyzed to assay inflammatory cytokines. Conventional and ChemRICH approaches helped the metabolomic interpretation of the cecal content. The effect of the diet is very marked at the metabolomic level, a little less in the blood tests, without this appearing strictly in the clinic status. Nevertheless, 37 of the 184 metabolites analyzed are linked to clinical status. 35 over-expressed compounds let suggest less intestinal absorption, possibly accompanied by an alteration of the gut microbial community, in DCS. The decrease in another metabolite suggests hepatic impairment. This spectral difference of the ceca metabolomes deserves to be studied in order to check if it corresponds to functional microbial particularities.

Intake of okara soup for 2 weeks for breakfast improved defecation habits in young Japanese women with self-reported constipation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, intervention study

Okara is a byproduct of soymilk manufacturing and a rich source of protein and dietary fiber. We investigated whether okara intake improves the habit of defecation in young Japanese women (n = 52) with self-reported constipation. Subjects were categorized into placebo and test groups, who ingested soymilk (0.1 g fiber/meal) and okara (4.1 g fiber/meal) soups, respectively, every day for breakfast, for 2 weeks. Subjects' body composition, bowel movement frequency per week, and constipation assessment scale (CAS) and brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire scores were assessed at baseline and after the intervention (Analysis 1). Further, subjects' bowel movement frequency per week and CAS scores were assessed during the 2-week follow-up (Analysis 2). There were no significant differences in age, anthropometric characteristics, nutrients intake, frequency of bowel movements per week, and total CAS scores between the placebo and test groups at baseline. After intervention, the total CAS score was significantly lower in the test group than in the placebo group. Moreover, the difference in the total CAS scores between baseline and after intervention was lower in the test group than in the placebo group, although not significant. The weekly frequency of bowel movement significantly increased for both placebo and test groups. The test group reported reduced abdominal bloating 2 weeks after the intervention, but the placebo group did not. The findings suggest that okara is effective in increasing the frequency of bowel movements and improving defecation habit in young women with self-reported constipation. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Okara is an effective food to increase the frequency of bowel movements and to improve defecation habits in young women with self-reported constipation.

Effect of cassava flour on the lipidic and redox profile of Wistar rats with dyslipidemia

One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is high total cholesterol. It is known that some foods can reduce plasma cholesterol, such as oats. Cassava flour has a similar amount of fiber when compared to oats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypocholesterolemic potential of cassava flour. Thirty Wistar rats (eight weeks old) were divided into three groups: control, high-cholesterol diet, high-cholesterol diet + cassava flour, and were treated for 8 weeks. The weight and food consumption of the animals were evaluated weekly. After euthanasia, analyzes of biochemical and oxidative stress profiles were performed, besides the histological analysis of the liver. Cassava flour protected animals from lipoperoxidation, according to thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances results and improved superoxide dismutase activity and thiol content; however, failed to improve the lipid profile and catalase. Cassava flour was possibly able to slow the progression of NASH according to liver histology. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Lifestyle and nutritional habits have been considered important factors associated with the development of dyslipidemia and other chronic diseases. Medicines for chronic diseases are often expensive and have present side effects, and therefore, it is preferable to prevent them through food. Cassava flour is a food widely consumed by Brazilians, which is inexpensive and contains no gluten. Understanding more about one of the most used foods in Brazil is important for health professionals to be able to prescribe it for the correct purposes.

Evaluation of Antiobesity Activity of Soybean Meal Products Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum FPS 2520 and Bacillus subtilis N1 in Rats Fed with High-Fat Diet

Single strain or mixed strains of Lactobacillus plantarum FPS 2520 and Bacillus subtilis N1 were used to ferment soybean meal (SBM), and the antiobesity activity of the fermented SBM product was investigated in rats fed with high-fat diet (HFD). After fermentation, free amino nitrogen, total peptide, and isoflavone contents were markedly raised, and genistein and daidzein were the major isoflavones in the fermented SBM. After fed with HFD for 10 weeks, obese Sprague-Dawley rats were orally treated with various fermented products for 6 weeks. The body weight gains, as well as weights of abdominal fat and epididymis fat, of rats fed with fermented SBM products were significantly downregulated. The treatment with the mixed-strains fermented SBM product significantly decreased plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, but increased the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Moreover, the levels of TG, TC, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in liver were diminished, and the activities of hormone-sensitive lipase and lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue were augmented. Taken together, these data demonstrated the antiobesity activity of fermented SBM products, among which the product fermented by the mixed strains being the most effective one. Therefore, these fermented SBM products are potential to be developed as functional foods or additives for treatment of obesity and prevention against obesity-induced complications.