The effect of supplementation of Isomaltooligosaccharide and emulsified medium-chain triglycerides on blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate and calorie intake in male Wistar rats

Background: A high concentration of energy substrate in circulation will suppress appetite and subsequent food intake. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) is a natural exogenous ketone source that can act as an energy substrate, increase blood ketone and suppress appetite. MCT emulsification increases its ketogenic properties. Interestingly, Isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), a form of dietary fiber, can absorb and retain water, induce the stomach wall distention, and therefore could induce the afferent signal that causes appetite suppression. Despite those facts, there are no data available on whether a food supplement contains a combination of IMO and emulsified MCT (FC-MCT) could induce more appetite suppression. Objectives: This research investigated the effect of FC-MCT on blood glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), and calorie intake in male Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 31 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. 1) The MC group (n = 8) - MCT 10 ml/kg of body weight; 2) the FC group (n = 8) - combination of IMO and emulsified coconut oil or FC-CO 100 (w/v) 15 ml/kg of body weight; 3) the FM group (n = 7) - FC-MCT 100 (w/v) 15 ml/kg of body weight; and 4) the SU group (n = 8) - sucrose solution 20 (w/v) 15 ml/kg of body weight. Emulsified coconut oil acted as an isocaloric adjustor for IMO to balance MCT. Blood glucose and βHB were observed for 4 h, with 1 (one) hour measurement interval, presented as the area under the curve (AUC). The food intake was measured 4 h post supplementation. Results: Compared with other groups, we observed low Blood glucose AUC (p = 0.000), total calorie (p = 0.000) and food intake (p = 0.000) and high βHB AUC (p = 0.000) in the FM groups. Conclusion: We could successfully demonstrate that FC-MCT supplementation before a meal could suppress appetite and calorie intake. The caloric suppression seems to be mediated through the increased blood βHB concentration. © 2021 The Author(s)