Therapeutic Potential of Inulin‐Coated MCT Microcapsules in Modulating the Gut Microbiome for Effective Treatment of Diet‐Induced Obesity

Abstract

Obesity, a global epidemic, leads to metabolic dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Recently, therapies targeting the gut microbiome have garnered attention for metabolic health regulation. This study evaluates the potential of inulin‐coated medium‐chain triglyceride (InuMCT) microcapsules in rats with diet‐induced obesity (DIO). Inulin prebiotic fibers have been shown to promote the gut microbiome, while the digestion products of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), free fatty acids, and mono‐/diglycerides, can attenuate pro‐inflammatory outcomes. It is hypothesized that encapsulating MCTs within inulin via spray drying creates a solid dosage form that can exert multifunctional effects in ameliorating inflammation in DIO. Inulin and InuMCT treatments not only reduce DIO weight gain but also improve metabolic markers in high‐fat diet (HFD) fed rats. Specifically, inulin attenuates the reduction of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) by 55% and lowers glucose levels by 21%. Meanwhile, InuMCT increases HDL by 23% and reduces glucose levels by 15%. Furthermore, inulin decreases serum proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) by 35%, while InuMCT further reduces TNF‐α to normal diet levels within 21 days. These results highlight InuMCT's superior efficacy, offering a promising strategy for combating obesity and related metabolic diseases.