Combined effects of oligofructose and Bifidobacterium animalis on gut microbiota and glycemia in obese rats

Objective Prebiotics and probiotics may be able to modify an obesity‐associated gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to examine the individual and combined effects of the prebiotic oligofructose (OFS) and the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 (BB‐12) on gut microbiota and host metabolism in obese rats. Methods Adult male, diet‐induced obese Sprague Dawley rats were randomized to: (1) Control (C); (2) 10% OFS; (3) BB‐12; (4) OFS + BB‐12 for 8 weeks (n = 9‐10 rats/group). Body composition, glycemia, gut permeability, satiety hormones, cytokines, and gut microbiota were examined. Results Prebiotic, but not probiotic reduced energy intake, weight gain, and fat mass (P < 0.01). OFS, BB‐12, and the combined OFS + BB‐12 improved glycemia (P < 0.05). Individually, OFS and BB‐12 reduced insulin levels (P < 0.05). Portal GLP‐1 was increased with OFS, whereas probiotic increased GLP‐2 (P < 0.05). There was a marked increase in bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (P < 0.01) with OFS that was not observed with probiotic alone. Conclusions The impact of prebiotic intake on body composition and gut microbiota was of greater magnitude than the probiotic BB‐12. Despite this, an improvement in glucose AUC with both prebiotic or probiotic demonstrates the beneficial role of each of these “biotic” agents in glycemic control.