Wheat bran and oat bran effectively reduce oxidative stress induced by high-fat diets in pigs

To evaluate the influence of wheat bran and oat bran on the oxidative stress induced by a high proportion of fat in the diet.

Forty-eight growing pigs were penned individually and after an adaptation period divided into four groups. All groups received isocaloric daily rations composed of basal diet which was then supplemented with: starch (controls; CONT), linseed oil (OIL), linseed oil and wheat bran, or linseed oil and oat bran. The experimental period lasted 14-days. The oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in blood plasma, the 48-hour urinary MDA excretion, and the degree of leukocyte nuclear DNA damage.

In comparison with the CONT group, a significant increase in the MDA concentration in blood plasma and in the MDA excretion in urine was found in the OIL group. The degree of DNA damage in the OIL group was also significantly higher. In comparison with the OIL group, the wheat bran and oat bran supplementation significantly reduced the 24-hour MDA excretion in urine and reduced the degree of DNA damage in leukocytes to the level of the CONT group.

The results of the experiments confirmed that a high wheat bran and oat bran intake effectively reduces oxidative stress induced by a high-fat diet.