Intra Amniotic Administration of Raffinose and Stachyose Affects the Intestinal Brush Border Functionality and Alters Gut Microflora Populations

Nutrients. 2017 Mar 19;9(3):304. doi: 10.3390/nu9030304.

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of two types of prebiotics-stachyose and raffinose-which are present in staple food crops that are widely consumed in regions where dietary Fe deficiency is a health concern. The hypothesis is that these prebiotics will improve Fe status, intestinal functionality, and increase health-promoting bacterial populations in vivo (Gallus gallus). By using the intra-amniotic administration procedure, prebiotic treatment solutions were injected in ovo (day 17 of embryonic incubation) with varying concentrations of a 1.0 mL pure raffinose or stachyose in 18 MΩ H₂O. Four treatment groups (50, 100 mg·mL-1 raffinose or stachyose) and two controls (18 MΩ H₂O and non-injected) were utilized. At hatch the cecum, small intestine, liver, and blood were collected for assessment of the relative abundance of the gut microflora, relative expression of Fe-related genes and brush border membrane functional genes, hepatic ferritin levels, and hemoglobin levels, respectively. The prebiotic treatments increased the relative expression of brush border membrane functionality proteins (p < 0.05), decreased the relative expression of Fe-related proteins (p < 0.05), and increased villus surface area. Raffinose and stachyose increased the relative abundance of probiotics (p < 0.05), and decreased that of pathogenic bacteria. Raffinose and stachyose beneficially affected the gut microflora, Fe bioavailability, and brush border membrane functionality. Our investigations have led to a greater understanding of these prebiotics' effects on intestinal health and mineral metabolism.

Keywords: brush border membrane; iron; prebiotics; raffinose; stachyose.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bifidobacterium / isolation & purification
  • Biological Availability
  • Chickens
  • Clostridium / isolation & purification
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Ferritins / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / drug effects*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / drug effects*
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Iron / blood
  • Lactobacillus / isolation & purification
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Microvilli / drug effects*
  • Microvilli / metabolism
  • Microvilli / microbiology
  • Oligosaccharides / administration & dosage*
  • Prebiotics / administration & dosage
  • Probiotics / administration & dosage
  • Raffinose / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Oligosaccharides
  • Prebiotics
  • stachyose
  • Ferritins
  • Iron
  • Raffinose