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

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.