Kojibiose ameliorates arachidic acid-induced metabolic alterations in hyperglycaemic rats
Herein we hypothesise the positive effects of kojibiose (KJ), a prebiotic disaccharide, selected for reducing hepatic expression of inflammatory markers in vivo that could modulate the severity of saturated arachidic acid (ARa)-induced liver dysfunction in hyperglycaemic rats. Animals were fed daily (20 d) with ARa (0.3 mg) together or not with KJ (22 mg approximately 0.5 %, w/w diet). Glucose, total TAG and cholesterol contents and the phospholipid profile were determined in serum samples. Liver sections were collected for the expression (mRNA) of enzymes and innate biomarkers, and intrahepatic macrophage and T-cell populations were analysed by flow cytometry. ARa administration increased the proportion of liver to body weight that was associated with an increased (by 11 %) intrahepatic macrophage population. These effects were ameliorated when feeding with KJ, which also normalised the plasmatic levels of TAG and N-acyl-phosphatidylethenolamine in response to tissue damage. These results indicate that daily supplementation of KJ significantly improves the severity of ARa-induced hepatic alterations. ; M. H. thanks MICINN for his 'Ramón y Cajal' contract. This work was supported by grants AGL2011-25169, AGL2011-27884 and Consolider Fun-C-Food CSD2007-00063 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN, Spain). M. D.-M. is supported by the High Research Council of the Spanish Government (CSIC) through JAE-Pre Programme, co-funded by European Social Fund (ESF). ; Peer Reviewed