Dietary fiber, gut peptides, and adipocytokines

• Published in: Journal of medicinal food Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 223
• Main Authors: Sánchez, David, Miguel, Marta, Aleixandre, Amaya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2012
• Subjects: Adipokines - metabolism; Adipokines - secretion; Adipose Tissue, White - metabolism; Adipose Tissue, White - secretion; Animals; Dietary Fiber - administration & dosage; Down-Regulation; Gastric Mucosa - metabolism; Gastric Mucosa - secretion; Gastrointestinal Hormones - metabolism; Gastrointestinal Hormones - secretion; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - secretion; Peptide Hormones - metabolism; Peptide Hormones - secretion; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 1557-7600
• DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2011.0072

The consumption of dietary fiber (DF) has increased since it was related to the prevention of a range of illnesses and pathological conditions. DF can modify some gut hormones that regulate satiety and energy intake, thus also affecting lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. Among these gut hormones are ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin. Adipose tissue is known to express and secrete a variety of products known as "adipocytokines," which are also affected by DF. Some of the most relevant adipocytokines include adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. The release of adipocytokines, by either adipocytes or macrophage-infiltrated adipose tissue, leads to a chronic subinflammatory state that could play a central role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, therefore increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity. DF modulation of these molecules could also have positive effects on obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. This review is focused on the effects of DF on the above-mentioned gut peptides and adipocytokines.