David Daguet¹, Iris Pinheiro², An Verhelst²,

Sam Possemiers², Massimo Marzorati³*

*Corresponding author

1. NEXIRA SAS, 129 Chemin de Croisset, BP 4151, 76723 Rouen Cedex 3, France

2. ProDigest BVBA, Technologiepark 4, 9052 Ghent, Belgium

3. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET),
Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

The Leaky Gut Syndrome – impairment of the gut wall functionality – is involved in many inflammatory diseases, among them IBS. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of arabinogalactan (AG) and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) on gut wall modulation using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME^®) – inoculated with faecal material from an IBS donor – coupled with co-cultures of enterocytes and macrophages (transwell approach using Caco-2 and THP1 cells). AG and FOS showed a different fermentation profile (more proximal for FOS and distal for AG) and both fibres exerted a potential positive effect on gut barrier (increased TEER parameter) and inflammation (modulation of cytokines IL-8, IL-6, IL-10 and NF-?B) in their main area of fermentation. AG could be an interesting nutritional supplement for the treatment of those conditions characterized by inflammation and increased permeability in the distal colon.

INTRODUCTION

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive trouble affecting both males and females. Near 20% of the world population is impacted by IBS, mainly in industrial countries with continually increasing incidence (1, 2).

Although the aetiology of IBS remains largely unknown, evidences show that this condition is frequently linked to inflammation and altered barrier function of the intestine (3)