Abstract

NEWER STRATEGY TO COMBAT OBESITY AMONGST THE BANK EMPLOYEES OF URBAN VADODARA- INSIGHTS INTO ITS MECHANISM

Mini Sheth  and Aparna Assudani*

ABSTRACT

Background: India is currently facing the dual burden of over-nutrition as well as under-nutrition. Several programs are being undertaken to combat under-nutrition. However, strategies to control obesity are few and newer measures need to be undertaken and implemented after understanding its mechanism of action. Objective: To examine the effects of Fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation on gut-flora (Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus, Clostridium and Bacteroides), gut-incretin‘s (GLP-1 and GIP), an anorexigenic hormone PYY and anthropometric measurements and interactions amongst them. Design: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. A total of 120 obese grade –I, young adults (25-35 yrs) were randomly assigned to groups that received either 20g FOS/d or 20g dextrose/d for 90 days. Anthropometric measurements, fasting plasma and faecal samples were collected at baseline and post intervention. Plasma samples for gut incretin‘s were analyzed using Luminex x-MAP technology in sub sample of 60 subjects. Results: Significant reduction in experimental group when compared to placebo was observed in body weight, BMI, WC,WHR, body fat, colonization of Clostridium and Bacteroides by 1.32%, 2.18%, 1.07%, 2.92%,1.95% and 11.40% respectively along-with significant increase in the colonization of Bifidobacteria (10.78%) and Lactobacillus (30.51%). The experimental group showed significant increase in plasma level of gut-incretin GLP-1 (1.53%) and non-significant increase in GIP (6.25%) and PYY (1.04%). Weight negatively correlated (p<0.001) with GLP-1(r = -0.729), PYY (r = - 0.709). Stepwise linear regression analysis depicted GLP-1 as a strong predictor of obesity (58.6%). Conclusion: FOS is a promising supplement in increasing satietogenic gut-incretins by modulating gut-microbiota and achieving weight loss.

Keywords: Gut Incretins, GLP-1, GIP, PYY, Fructooligosaccharide, Gut flora.