Effect of Fiber Supplementation on Systemic Inflammation and Liver Steatosis in Mice Fed with High-Carbohydrate Diets

Abstract

Background: High consumption of carbohydrates can trigger metabolic and inflammatory disorders in the body. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fiber supplementation on inflammation and hepatic steatosis in mice fed high-carbohydrate diets. Methods: Swiss male mice were distributed into two control groups and two experimental groups that received isocaloric diet rich in starch (55%) or rich in fructose (55%). In the last 4 weeks of the experiment, the animals received 5% fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation via gavage, or water in the control groups. After 16 weeks, biochemical analyses, inflammatory cytokines, and histology of the liver of the animals were performed. Results: The animals that received fructose had higher weight at the end of the experiment as well as liver weight, consumed more feed, had higher levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and a higher degree of hepatic steatosis when compared with the animals that received starch. However, the animals that received starch showed a higher inflammatory process. FOS supplementation was efficient in reducing liver weight and hepatic steatosis degree in animals fed with fructose diet but showed more degeneration of liver tissue and high levels of inflammatory cytokines. FOS reduced the levels of urea and total cholesterol in the starch-fed animals. Conclusions: Diets rich in carbohydrates such as starch and fructose cause deleterious effects in animals, and fiber supplementation can bring beneficial effects.