Fructooligosaccharide and glucomannan affect gut bacteria and bone in mice
What it found
In a mouse study, fructooligosaccharide and glucomannan changed gut bacteria and improved markers of bone metabolism.
The work was done in senescence-accelerated mice, not people.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Gut bacteria changes
Mice given fructooligosaccharide had significantly more Lactobacillus and Bacteroides in their caecal contents than control mice. Mice given glucomannan had significantly more Clostridium than controls.
Calcium in bone
Calcium content in the thigh bone was significantly higher in the fructooligosaccharide group (30.5 mg) than in the control group (27.5 mg). There was no difference between the glucomannan group (29.1 mg) and controls.
Bone breakdown marker
Urinary deoxypyridinoline, a marker of bone breakdown, was significantly lower in both the fructooligosaccharide and glucomannan groups (1.2 nmol/3 d) than in the control group (1.8 nmol/3 d).
Inflammation marker
Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, was significantly lower in both the fructooligosaccharide and glucomannan groups (80 ng/100 mL) than in the control group (93 ng/100 mL).
What the authors conclude
“Thus, dietary FOS and GM modified gut microbiota and reduced bone resorption by reducing systemic inflammation in SAMP6.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that dietary fructooligosaccharide and glucomannan modified gut bacteria and reduced bone resorption by reducing systemic inflammation in the mice.
How it was done
The authors thought that improving gut bacteria with prebiotics might delay health problems that come with ageing. They specifically wanted to test whether long-term prebiotic intake delays age-related bone loss.
Forty-five male senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP6) were raised from four weeks of age on a diet containing 5% fructooligosaccharide, 5% glucomannan, or a control diet for 31 weeks. Gut bacteria were identified by culture methods, bone mineral content was measured, and bone metabolism and inflammation markers were tested.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This was a study in mice, so it cannot show what happens in people.
- The results are specific to a particular strain of senescence-accelerated mice and may not apply to other animals or humans.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Nagoya Women's University, Japan; Jumonji University, Japan
The paper
- Title
- Dietary Fructooligosaccharide and Glucomannan Alter Gut Microbiota and Improve Bone Metabolism in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Tanabe K, Nakamura S, Moriyama-Hashiguchi M, et al (2019). Dietary Fructooligosaccharide and Glucomannan Alter Gut Microbiota and Improve Bone Metabolism in Senescence-Accelerated Mouse. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.8b05164PubMed 30632742DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error