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Background and objectives: Carbohydrates such as fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are associated with improved gastrointestinal health and the prevention of excess body fat. We evaluated the long-term effects of high amounts of FOS on metabolic parameters, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Methods: Sixty C57BL/6 mice received the following diets for four months: control (C), normolipid rich in fiber (F), normolipid supplemented with FOS (FOS), high fat (HL), high fat with high fiber (HLF) and high fat with FOS (HLFOS). We analyzed the animal weight; body composition; food intake; fasting blood glucose; serum and liver lipid profiles; liver and intestinal histologies; malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic retinol and α-tocopherol; and SCFAs in the feces. Results: Supplementation with FOS in a high-fat diet promoted less body weight gain and reduced liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue weights compared to HL and HF. FOS prevented NASH and decreased alanine aminotransferase and serum cholesterol levels in experimental animal models of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS). There were statistical differences found in the dosages of the three main SCFAs in feces (acetic, isobutyric and isovaleric acids). Conclusions: Long-term supplementation with high doses of FOS was effective in reducing weight, adiposity, NAFLD and serum cholesterol in C57BL mice with obesity and MS induced by a high-fat diet.

Resistant starch is a type of dietary fiber with prebiotic properties, potential action on intestinal permeability, and an effect on decreasing glycemic levels, presenting therapeutic potential for issues stemming from excess body fat and associated comorbidities, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Sixty C57BL/6 mice were allocated to the following diets for 4 months: control (C), normolipid rich in fiber (F), normolipid supplemented with resistant starch (RS), high fat (HL), HL rich in fiber (HLF), and HL supplemented with resistant starch (HLRS). The following parameters were analyzed: animal weight, body composition, food intake, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, hepatic and intestinal histology, hepatic and intestinal oxidative stress, and assessment of short-chain fatty acids in feces. Long-term supplementation with high doses of resistant starch effectively reduced body weight gain and decreased liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue weights, blood glucose levels, alanine aminotransferase, and serum triglycerides. Intestinal histology showed that the high-fat diet increased the total diameter of the intestinal lumen (846.81±7.82) and reduced enteric muscle thickness (8.51±0.51), while resistant starch supplementation effectively improved these parameters (658.01±3.82; 30.56±0.66), also increased butyrate production, and reduced oxidative stress in the intestine. Resistant starch supplementation was effective in reducing weight, adiposity, and NAFLD in mice with diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS).