A wide range of in vitro and in vivo models have been used to understand the impact of test ingredients on the human gut microbiota. By combining findings of in vitro and in vivo studies, the complementarity of both models can be exploited. The current presentation will focus on the integration of such in vitro and in vivo studies. As an example, during a humanized rat study, arabinoxylans and inulin were both demonstrated to exert direct effects as well as indirect effects on the gut microbiota. Direct effects included the stimulation of particular SCFA and arabinoxylan/inulin-fermenting gut microbes, while indirect effects included a shift of the colonization of the health-related Akkermansia muciniphila from proximal to more distal areas. During subsequently performed in vitro studies aiming to understand the underlying mechanisms, the pH-dependency of Akkermansia muciniphila was demonstrated to cause this shift to more distal colon regions. Moreover, short-term incubation studies allowed to understand the direct impact of arabinoxylans and inulin on the human gut microbiota, together with its subsequent effects on gut barrier integrity.

Value of in vitro gut models in deciphering the impact of prebiotics on the human gut microbiota

ACS Fall 2021

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