The fate of chicory root pulp polysaccharides during fermentation in the TNO in vitro model of the colon (TIM-2)

The aim of this study was to monitor cell wall polysaccharide (CWPs) utilization during fermentation by the human colonic microbiota in the TNO in vitro model of the colon (TIM-2). Chicory root pulp (CRP) and treated (ensiled) CRP (ECRP) containing four times more soluble pectin than CRP, were fermented in the model. After the adaptation phase...

Exploring the effects of galacto-oligosaccharides on the gut microbiota of healthy adults receiving amoxicillin treatment

In the present double-blind, randomised, parallel intervention study, the effects of the intake of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the gut microbiota of twelve healthy adult subjects (aged 18-45 years with a normal BMI (18-25 kg/m2)) receiving amoxicillin (AMX) treatment were determined. All the subjects were treated with AMX (375 mg; three...

In vitro characterization of the impact of different substrates on metabolite production, energy extraction and composition of gut microbiota from lean and obese subjects

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of galacto-oligosaccharides, lactulose, apple fiber and sugar beet pectin on the composition and activity of human colonic microbiota of lean and obese healthy subjects using an in vitro model of the proximal colon: TIM-2. Substrate fermentation was assessed by measuring the production of short...

Analyses of human colonic mucus obtained by an in vivo sampling technique

Background: The mucus layer is an important dynamic component of the epithelial barrier. It contains mucin glycoproteins and other compounds secreted by the intestinal epithelium, such as secretory IgA. However, a standardized in vivo sampling technique of mucus in humans is not yet available. Aim: To assess the validity and feasibility of mucin...

Mixed-species genomic microarray analysis of fecal samples reveals differential transcriptional responses of bifidobacteria in breast- And formula-fed infants

Although their exact function remains enigmatic, bifidobacteria are among the first colonizers of the newborn infant gut and further develop into abundant communities, notably in response to diet. Therefore, the transcriptional responses of bifidobacteria in rapidly processed fecal samples from young infants that were fed either breast milk or a...

Role of the non-digestible carbohydrate lactulose in the absorption of calcium

The current trends in healthy eating will increase levels of bulk- forming material in the diet, such as dietary fibre and other plant foods. Depending on the complex forming of such material the availability of absorbable calcium and other minerals may be impaired. It seems that non- digestible carbohydrates can inverse this effect. Major...

A comparison of the effects of dietary cellulose and fermentable galacto-oligosaccharide, in a rat model of colorectal carcinogenesis: Fermentable fibre confers greater protection than non-fermentable fibre in both high and low fat background

The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of diets with either a non-fermentable fibre source (cellulose) or a fermentable fibre source [galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS)], combined with different levels of dietary fat, on the development of colorectal cancer. Male Wistar rats were fed AIN76-based diets with either a low or high...

Tumor necrosis factor α induces endothelial galactosyl transferase activity and verocytotoxin receptors. Role of specific tumor necrosis factor receptors and protein kinase C

Infections with verocytotoxin (VT) producing Escherichia coil have been strongly implicated in the epidemic form of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Endothelial damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of HUS. In vitro studies have shown that VT can damage endothelial cells after interaction with its cellular receptor...

Characterization of the interaction both in vitro and in vivo of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) with rat liver cells. Effects of monoclonal antibodies to t-PA

The interaction of 125I-labelled tissue-type plasminogen activator (125I-t-PA) with freshly isolated rat parenchymal and endothelial liver cells was studied. Binding experiments at 4°C with parenchymal cells and endothelial liver cells indicated the presence of 68000 and 44000 high-affinity t-PA-binding sites, with an apparent K(d) of 3.5 and 4...

Effect of infusion of 'tris-galactosyl-cholesterol' on plasma cholesterol, clearance of lipoprotein cholesteryl esters, and biliary secretion in the rat

As shown by us previously (van Berkel et al. 1985. J. Biol. Chem. 260: 2694-2699 and van Berkel et al. 1985. J. Biol. Chem. 260: 12203-12207) the clearance of both low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) from the blood can be greatly enhanced by pretreatment of these lipoproteins with a tris-galactosylated cholesterol...