Influence of arabinoxylan and crosslinked arabinoxylan consumption on blood serum lipids and glucose levels of Wistar rats

Several studies have described the health benefits of arabinoxylan as prebiotics; however, other authors have related them with an anti-nutrient effect as arabinoxylan increases the viscosity of the alimentary bolus. In this work, the impact of arabinoxylan and crosslinked arabinoxylan on blood serum lipids and glucose levels of Wistar rats was investigated. Arabinoxylan was extracted from maize bran, presented a Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectrum typical for this polysaccharide, and a molecular weight of 250 kDa. Arabinoxylan solution at 4% (w/v) formed covalent gels induced by laccase. Male Wistar rats were fed a standard diet supplemented with 5% (w/w) lyophilized arabinoxylan or crosslinked arabinoxylan. Blood glucose levels were determined, collecting a drop of blood from the tail vein of rats at 0, 2, and 10 h after food consumption. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were also determined. Postprandial blood glucose of the treatment groups was maintained at the same level as the control group. The serum lipid profile levels also remained close to the control group, excepting total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, which were higher in crosslinked arabinoxylan treatment but in the range reported for this murine model. The obtained results revealed that consumption of arabinoxylan and crosslinked arabinoxylan at moderated levels does not interfere with the absorption of these nutrients.