Xylo-oligosaccharides ameliorate high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolemia and modulate sterol excretion and gut microbiota in hamsters

The present study investigated the cholesterol-lowering activity of xylooligosaccharides and its associated underlying mechanisms in hamsters. Twenty-four hamsters were randomly divided into three groups and fed one of three diets, namely a low cholesterol diet, a high cholesterol diet (HCD), and an HCD diet with supplementation of 5% xylo-oligosaccharides for 6 weeks. The changes in gut microbiota, fecal neutral and acidic sterols were examined. Results exhibited that xylooligosaccharides could significantly reduce plasma total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total triacylglycerol by 11.24%, 24.89% and 38.72%, respectively (p < 0.05). Such benefits were associated with an increase in fecal outputs of neutral and acidic sterols as well as SCFAs. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with xylo-oligosaccharides could change the composition of gut microbiota. It was therefore concluded that xylo-oligosaccharides supplementation could reduce plasma cholesterol levels, enhance the excretion of neutral and acidic sterols, and promote the production of SCFAs via changing the gut microbiota composition.

Automated summary

The study showed that xylo-oligosaccharides can significantly reduce plasma cholesterol levels by increasing the excretion of neutral and acidic sterols and promoting the production of SCFAs. Additionally, dietary supplementation with xylo-oligosaccharides can alter the composition of gut microbiota.