Yacon-based product improves intestinal hypertrophy and modulates the production of glucagon-like peptide-1 in postmenopausal experimental model

Aims The progressive decline in estrogen level puts postmenopausal women at a higher risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. Thus, we evaluated the potential beneficial effects of yacon-based product (YBP) on glycemic profile and intestinal health of postmenopausal rats. Methods Eighty Wistar rats were randomized into 4 ovariectomized (OVX) groups or 4 celiotomized groups treated with a standard diet (SD) or diet supplemented with YBP at 6% of fructooligosaccharide (FOS)/inulin. Key findings The continued consumption of YBP at 6% of FOS/inulin did not generate liver damage and gastrointestinal disorders. Rats fed with YBP displayed higher food consumption, but this did not increase the body weight gain, abdominal circumference and body fat percentual of OVX rats. Furthermore, we also found that the FOS/inulin fermentation present in the YBP resulted in cecum, ileum and colon crypts hypertrophy and increased the lactic acid levels in the cecal content. We observed an increase of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) immunoreactive cells and there was no change in the glucose and insulin plasma levels of YBP-fed OVX rats. Significance Our findings indicated that YBP when consumed previously and after the menopausal period has important effects on the morphology and function of intestinal mucous of rats and has potential to modulate indirectly the glycemic and insulinemic profiles, weight gain and body fat percentual in the hypoestrogenic period through metabolites produced in the fermentation process.