ARTINIA Suppresses Weight Gain

ST. LOUISChitin-glucan promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria along with suppressing weight gain and fat deposition, and improving glucose tolerance in high-fat, diet-induced obese mice in a study that examined ARTINIA, a novel chitin-glucan fiber ingredient from Stratum Nutrition (J Nutr Biochem. 2011 Mar 14).

Researchers headed by Professor Audrey M. Neyrinck, Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Ghent University, Belgium, noted supplementation of a high-fat diet with ARTINIA induced caecal enlargement with prominent changes in gut microbiota; it restored the number of bacteria from clostridial cluster XIVa including Roseburia spp., which were decreased due to fatty diet. ARTINIA treatment also significantly decreased high-fat-induced body weight gain, fat mass development, fasting hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, hepatic triglyceride accumulation and hypercholesterolemia, independently of the caloric intake. All those parameters were negatively correlated with specific bacteria of clostridial cluster XIVa, i.e., Roseburia spp.

Further, the researchers noted, in contrast to prebiotics that more specifically target the bifidobacteria species, ARTINIAs effects on obesity appear to be independent of the incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) production, since portal GLP-1 and proglucagon (its precursor) expression were not modified by the dietary intervention.

"In addition to ARTINIA's positive effects on heart health, specifically its ability to reduce levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), we now see evidence that ARTINIA offers significant benefits for weight management in a widely used animal model of diet-induced obesity," noted Joseph L. Evans, Ph.D., manager, pharmacology, Stratum Nutrition. "We will continue to evaluate ARTINIA's potential for use in weight management and glucose control in future research."

RTINIA is a high-purity, natural, chitin-glucan fiber featuring the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibers. ARTINIA has achieved self-affirmed GRAS status, and is approved by the EU Commission as a novel food ingredient. The vegetarian, gluten-free fiber can be used in variety of food, beverage, and supplement applications.