Introduction: Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) are increasingly recognized for their potential ability to alleviate obesity-associated chronic low-grade inflammation and disturbed substrate and energy homeostasis. Evidence suggests that an increase in circulating SCFA might be necessary to induce beneficial alterations in energy metabolism. Here, we aimed to study whether a single orally administrated SCFA incorporated into triglycerides reach the circulation and affect postprandial metabolism in men with overweight/obesity.
Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study was conducted at Maastricht University with fourteen men with overweight/obesity (BMI 25-35 kg/m2) of which twelve men finished all testdays and were included for analysis. The participants received a liquid high milkfat mixed meal test containing either a low (650 mg), medium (1,325 mg), or high dose (2,000 mg) of Akovita SCT or a placebo (sunflower oil) in randomized order. Blood was sampled at baseline and after ingestion for 6 h for the primary outcome plasma butyrate and hexanoate concentration. Secondary outcomes included hydrogen breath, appetite, gastrointestinal complaints, circulating glucagon-like peptide 1, free fatty acids, glucose, triglycerides, insulin, and cytokines concentrations.
Results: All doses were well-tolerated. The medium dose increased (P < 0.05) and the high dose tended to increase (P < 0.10) postprandial circulating butyrate and both doses increased circulating hexanoate (P < 0.05) compared to placebo whereas the low dose did not. Nevertheless, a single dose of Akovita SCT supplementation did not affect any secondary outcomes compared to placebo.
Conclusion: Akovita SCT increased postprandial circulating butyrate and hexanoate. Future randomized clinical trials should investigate whether long-term Akovita SCT supplementation can aid in the treatment or prevention of metabolic disorders.
1. Conflict of interest: KL, LS and AH are employees of AAK Netherlands BV.
2. Funding: AAK Netherlands BV, Zaandijk, The Netherlands