Efficacy of an Anthocyanin and Prebiotic Blend on Intestinal Environment in Obese Male and Female Subjects

Abstract

Background: Anthocyanins and prebiotics impact overall health and wellness, likely through modulation of the microbiota and the intestinal ecosystem.

Objectives: An 8-week open-label study in male and female volunteers with uncomplicated obesity was designed to study the efficacy of an anthocyanin and prebiotic blend in modulating intestinal microbiota and intestinal inflammation.

Results: After 8 weeks of daily supplementation, participants had a significant decrease in Firmicutes (p < 0.001) and Actinobacteria (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in Bacteroidetes (p < 0.001). Bowel habits were improved as evidenced by reductions in the severity of bloating (p < 0.05), gas (p=0.035), and abdominal pain (p=0.015) as well as significant improvements in stool consistency (p < 0.05). Finally, a nonsignificant decrease in the inflammatory marker fecal calprotectin was seen (p=0.107). The supplement was safe and well tolerated.

Conclusions: The results suggest that regular consumption of the anthocyanin-prebiotic blend positively modulated the intestinal ecosystem and provided insights into the mechanisms of action and its impact on health benefits.

Figure 1

Study flow diagram. Abbreviations used: complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and body mass index (BMI).

Figure 2

Composition at the phyla level shown for (a) baseline and (b) end of the study.

Figure 3

Ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in participants supplemented with the anthocyanin-prebiotic blend at baseline (day 0) and end of the study (day 57) (n=45); p < 0.001 (mean ± SD).

Figure 4

Scatterplots of the first two principal components of the weighted UniFrac beta-diversity measure at day 0 (blue) and day 57 (red). Cluster centroids were found using K-means (blue cross is day 0 and red cross is day 57) clustering for two clusters. Approximate clusters are encircled (n=45).

Figure 5

Fecal calprotectin concentration in participants supplemented with the anthocyanin-prebiotic blend at baseline (day 0) and end of the study (day 57) (n=43); p=0.107 (mean ± SEM).