DATA ANALYSIS OF FIBRE FERMENTATION CAPACITY IN ADULT WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN COMPARISON TO HEALTHY CONTROL INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Abstract :Purpose This study aimed to analyse the concentrations of SCFA in faecal samples in IBD patients (CD and UC) compared to healthy control individuals in order to measure the fermentation capacity of different fibres as substrates at 5h and 24h. :Methods Faecal samples were collected from 16 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were in clinical remission and 8 from healthy individuals. 24 participants (8 CD, 8 HC and 8 UC) aged between 19 and 74 years old (median age; CD vs HC vs UC; 35 vs 31.50 vs 41.50 years). Five different dietary fibres (Pectin, Alpha cellulose, Raftilose, Wheat bran and Hi-maise), beside one mixed fibre and one blank sample were performed in vitro fermentation. Gas Chromatography (GC) used to measure SCFA concentrations for 3 groups at 5 h and 24 h. :Results The mean concentrations of main SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) were similar, and no significant difference was found between the 3 groups (CD, UC and HC) when alpha cellulose, pectin and mixed fibres were used as a substrate at 5 h and 24 h fermentation (P>0.05). Fermentation of Hi- Maize, pectin and Raftilose at 5 h and 24 h in the 3 groups (CD, HC and UC) (P<0.05) were significantly higher productions of SCFAs than alpha cellulose and blank sample. UC patients had higher calprotectin levels (median=111.69, IQR=943.5) (P≤0.05), and there was a significantly higher difference between the CD-UC group (CD; mean=180, SD=273.5, UC; mean=392.7, SD=450.4) (P=0.00). CD patients had a significantly higher concentration of bifidobacteria, clostridium leptum and total bacteria compared to the HC group (CD: IQR=2.5, 0.7 and 0.4, respectively; HC: IQR=0.45, 0.1and 0.2, respectively). :Conclusion Our study suggests that fibre fermentation capacity in IBD patients are similar to healthy control individuals. However, SCFA production could be the result of changing the type of fibre in the fermentation media. Further researches into individual SCFAs on the different intestinal bacteria compositions and the measurement of their fermentation capacity over a longer period in those with IBD are needed.