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Barley β-glucan consumption improves glucose tolerance by increasing intestinal succinate concentrations
Kento Mio1, Yuka Goto2, Tsubasa Matsuoka2
1Research and Development Department, Hakubaku co., Ltd., Yamanashi, Japan. mio.kento@hakubaku.co.jp.
Barley beta-glucan intake boosts gut bacteria like Bacteroides and Parasutterella, increasing succinate levels. This impacts glucose metabolism, with effects lessened in mice lacking the succinate transporter gene.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolomics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Barley beta-glucan influences gut microbiota and host metabolism.
- The specific microbial and metabolic changes induced by barley beta-glucan are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of barley beta-glucan on gut microbiome and metabolome profiles, focusing on succinate.
- To elucidate the role of succinate in mediating the metabolic effects of barley beta-glucan.
Main Methods:
- Mice (C57BL/6J) were fed diets with or without barley beta-glucan.
- Gut microbiota and metabolome analyses were performed.
- Studies utilized mice with and without the succinate transporter gene (slc13a2).
Main Results:
- Barley beta-glucan intake increased Bacteroides, Parasutterella, and succinate levels, independent of diet.
- Glucose tolerance was improved in wild-type mice fed barley beta-glucan.
- This glucose-lowering effect was attenuated in slc13a2-deficient mice.
Conclusions:
- Barley beta-glucan promotes the growth of specific gut bacteria that produce succinate.
- Succinate plays a role in mediating the beneficial effects of barley beta-glucan on glucose metabolism.
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