Previous literature (Raza et al. 2017) pointed out that LITESSE® was found to change the intestinal flora and reduce the fasting triglyceride and total cholesterol plasma levels of mice fed a Western diet-a characteristic of the Western diet High intake of saturated fat and sucrose, low intake of dietary fiber. This new research builds on existing research and helps to further understand the mechanism of action of Litisu® Polydextrose at the molecular level.
“The previous findings are very interesting, and we want to explore the reasons behind these positive changes in metabolism and flora in more detail,” he commented on IFF Senior Scientist Markku Saarinen Bo. “Therefore, we have expanded our previous research focus to the molecular level.”
The study tested blood and tissue samples from mice fed a Western diet, while taking or not taking Litisu® Polydextrose. Metabolomics analysis of these tissue samples revealed significant differences between mice fed polydextrose and control mice.
“In investigating research questions related to the function of the gut microbiota, metabolomics analysis is increasingly being used in food and nutrition research. Dr. Olli Kärkkäinen, CEO of Afekta Technologies added: “Using metabolomics, you can Explore the conversion products of the intestinal flora produced by dietary components, and examine what kind of metabolic changes they cause in the circulation and potential target tissues. Said Dr. Olli Kärkkäinen, CEO of Afekta Technologies Ltd.
The results show that Litisu® Polydextrose causes different patterns of metabolites in blood and adipose tissue. Studies have also shown that single-carbon metabolism, bile acid and tryptophan metabolism are related to the lipid-lowering effect of mice fed polydextrose. Adding polydextrose to the diet may also change the absorption of other dietary components, resulting in lowering blood lipids.
Although there are many dietary fibers on the market, not all fibers have the same effect. Dr. Heli Anglenius, a senior scientist at IFF, concluded: “Our research strongly supports this, so it is necessary to further study whether positive changes in lipid metabolism are also observed in humans.”