Dietary oat beta-glucan reduces peak net glucose flux and insulin production and modulates plasma incretin in portal-vein catheterized grower pigs.

Abstract

Net glucose and SCFA flux and insulin secretion into the portal vein might be associated with the incretins glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Our objectives were to clarify this association and study the impact of 2 doses of dietary oat beta-glucan on the variables. Three 35-kg portal vein-catheterized pigs were fed 3 diets containing 0, 3, or 6% oat beta-glucan concentrate (BG0, BG3, and BG6) for 7 d in a repeated 3 x 3 Latin square. On d 7, blood was sampled for 12 h postprandially. Net glucose flux and apparent hormone production were calculated from plasma portal-arterial differences x flow. Postprandially, pigs fed BG6 had lower (P < 0.05) portal glucose at 15, 30, and 45 min and a lower (P < 0.05) net glucose flux during the first hour. Pigs fed BG6 tended to have lower (P < 0.10) portal C-peptide without lowering insulin, indicating that pigs fed BG6 had lower actual insulin release combined with a higher prehepatic retention of insulin. Pigs fed BG6 had lower (P < 0.05) portal GIP and GLP-1, which in turn were correlated (R(2) = 0.81 and 0.88, respectively; P < 0.01) with portal glucose. Pigs fed BG3 and BG6 had a higher (P < 0.05) net SCFA flux than pigs fed BG0, indicating increased fermentation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 6% oat beta-glucan concentrate decreased net glucose flux, increased net SCFA flux, and decreased peak apparent insulin production, changes that were associated with GIP and GLP-1 mediation.