Oligofructose decreases serum lipopolysaccharide and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in adults with overweight/obesity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of prebiotic supplementation on metabolic endotoxemia and systemic inflammation in adults with overweight and obesity.

METHODS

Samples from a previously conducted randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial were used for analysis. Participants were randomized to 21 g of oligofructose (n = 20; BMI 30.4 kg/m ) or a maltodextrin placebo (n = 17; BMI 29.5 kg/m ) for 12 weeks. A total of 37 participants had samples available for the current analysis. Resistin, adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were quantified using MILLIPLEX® assays. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was measured using PyroGene™ Recombinant Factor C Assay.

RESULTS

Plasma LPS concentrations were reduced by 40% in the oligofructose group over 12 weeks compared to a 48% increase in the placebo group (P = 0.04). PAI-1, a risk factor for thrombosis, was reduced to a greater extent in the oligofructose group (-17.3 ± 2.6 ng/ml) compared to the placebo group (-9.7 ± 1.8 ng/ml; P = 0.03). Oligofructose did not affect IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1, adiponectin, or resistin.

CONCLUSIONS

Oligofructose reduces metabolic endotoxemia and PAI-1. Incorporating prebiotics into the diet through supplements or functional foods may help mitigate some markers of obesity-associated inflammation.