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BMC Medicine
Published in: BMC Medicine 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Obesity | Research article

Physical activity enhances the improvement of body mass index and metabolism by inulin: a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial performed in obese individuals

Authors: Julie Rodriguez, Audrey M. Neyrinck, Maxime Van Kerckhoven, Marco A. Gianfrancesco, Edith Renguet, Luc Bertrand, Patrice D. Cani, Nicolas Lanthier, Miriam Cnop, Nicolas Paquot, Jean-Paul Thissen, Laure B. Bindels, Nathalie M. Delzenne

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Dietary interventions targeting the gut microbiota have been proposed as innovative strategies to improve obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Increasing physical activity (PA) is considered as a key behavioral change for improving health. We have tested the hypothesis that changing the PA status during a nutritional intervention based on prebiotic supplementation can alter or even change the metabolic response to the prebiotic. We confirm in obese subjects and in high-fat diet fed mice that performing PA in parallel to a prebiotic supplementation is necessary to observe metabolic improvements upon inulin.

Methods

A randomized, single-blinded, multicentric, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in obese participants who received 16 g/day native inulin versus maltodextrin, coupled to dietary advice to consume inulin-rich versus -poor vegetables for 3 months, respectively, in addition to dietary caloric restriction. Primary outcomes concern the changes on the gut microbiota composition, and secondary outcomes are related to the measures of anthropometric and metabolic parameters, as well as the evaluation of PA. Among the 106 patients who completed the study, 61 patients filled a questionnaire for PA before and after intervention (placebo: n = 31, prebiotic: n = 30). Except the dietitian (who provided dietary advices and recipes book), all participants and research staff were blinded to the treatments and no advices related to PA were given to participants in order to change their habits. In parallel, a preclinical study was designed combining both inulin supplementation and voluntary exercise in a model of diet-induced obesity in mice.

Results

Obese subjects who increased PA during a 3 months intervention with inulin-enriched diet exhibited several clinical improvements such as reduced BMI (− 1.6 kg/m2), decreased liver enzymes and plasma cholesterol, and improved glucose tolerance. Interestingly, the regulations of Bifidobacterium, Dialister, and Catenibacterium genera by inulin were only significant when participants exercised more. In obese mice, we highlighted a greater gut fermentation of inulin and improved glucose homeostasis when PA is combined with prebiotics.

Conclusion

We conclude that PA level is an important determinant of the success of a dietary intervention targeting the gut microbiota.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03852069 (February 22, 2019 retrospectively registered).
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Physical activity enhances the improvement of body mass index and metabolism by inulin: a multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial performed in obese individuals
Authors
Julie Rodriguez
Audrey M. Neyrinck
Maxime Van Kerckhoven
Marco A. Gianfrancesco
Edith Renguet
Luc Bertrand
Patrice D. Cani
Nicolas Lanthier
Miriam Cnop
Nicolas Paquot
Jean-Paul Thissen
Laure B. Bindels
Nathalie M. Delzenne
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-022-02299-z

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