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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Jan-Dec;16(1):2363021.
doi: 10.1080/19490976.2024.2363021. Epub 2024 Jun 11.

Adaptation to tolerate high doses of arabinoxylan is associated with fecal levels of Bifidobacterium longum

Edward C Deehan  1   2   3 , Zhengxiao Zhang  4   5 , Nguyen K Nguyen  1   6   7 , Maria Elisa Perez-Muñoz  1 , Janis Cole  1 , Alessandra Riva  8   9 , David Berry  8   10 , Carla M Prado  1 , Jens Walter  1   11   12
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Adaptation to tolerate high doses of arabinoxylan is associated with fecal levels of Bifidobacterium longum

Edward C Deehan et al. Gut Microbes. 2024 Jan-Dec.

Abstract

Dietary fiber supplements are a strategy to close the 'fiber gap' and induce targeted modulations of the gut microbiota. However, higher doses of fiber supplements cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms that differ among individuals. What determines these inter-individual differences is insufficiently understood. Here we analyzed findings from a six-week randomized controlled trial that evaluated GI symptoms to corn bran arabinoxylan (AX; n = 15) relative to non-fermentable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; n = 16) at efficacious supplement doses of 25 g/day (females) or 35 g/day (males) in adults with excess weight. Self-reported flatulence, bloating, and stomach aches were evaluated weekly. Bacterial taxa involved in AX fermentation were identified by bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging. Associations between GI symptoms, fecal microbiota features, and diet history were systematically investigated. AX supplementation increased symptoms during the first three weeks relative to MCC (p < 0.05, Mann-Whitney tests), but subjects 'adapted' with symptoms reverting to baseline levels toward the end of treatment. Symptom adaptations were individualized and correlated with the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium longum at baseline (rs = 0.74, p = 0.002), within the bacterial community that utilized AX (rs = 0.69, p = 0.006), and AX-induced shifts in acetate (rs = 0.54, p = 0.039). Lower baseline consumption of animal-based foods and higher whole grains associated with less severity and better adaptation. These findings suggest that humans do 'adapt' to tolerate efficacious fiber doses, and this process is linked to their microbiome and dietary factors known to interact with gut microbes, providing a basis for the development of strategies for improved tolerance of dietary fibers.

Keywords: Adults; Bifidobacterium; arabinoxylan; dietary fiber; gastrointestinal symptoms; gut microbiome; short-chain fatty acids; tolerance.

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Conflict of interest statement

ECD was a previous employee of AgriFiber Solutions LLC (Illinois, USA). JW has received research funding and consulting fees from industry sources involved in the manufacture and marketing of dietary fibers, including AgriFiber Solutions LLC. JW is further a co-owner of Synbiotics Health, a developer of synbiotic products. These interests did not influence his judgement or presentation of study findings. All other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Study design.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Symptoms in response to AX consumption and adaptation toward AX as compared to MCC consumption.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Associations between symptom severity and bacterial abundance during AX and MCC consumption.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Improved composite scores during AX consumption were linked to the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium longum.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Shifts in fecal pH and SCFA concentrations correlated with the severity and adaptation of AX- and MCC-induced symptom.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Baseline diet history correlated with symptom severity and adaptation during AX and MCC consumption.
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