Structural differences of prebiotic oligosaccharides influence their capability to enhance iron absorption in deficient rats

This study evaluates the influence of novel galacto-oligosaccharides derived from lactulose (GOS-Lu), kojibiose or 4′-galactosyl-kojibiose in hematological parameters of Fe homeostasis using Fe-deficient animals. Liver TfR-2, IL-6, NFκB and PPAR-γ expression (mRNA) were also determined by RT-qPCR analyses, and active hepcidin peptide production and short chain fatty acids by LC coupled to MS/MS or UV detection. Feeding animals with GOS-Lu or kojibiose together with FeCl3 increased hemoglobin (Hb) production (by 17%) and mean Hb concentration into erythrocytes relative to animals administered with FeCl3 alone (14.1% and 19.7%, respectively). Animals administered with prebiotics showed decrea…