Propionate and Energy Homeostasis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Acute Effect of Propionate on Energy Homeostasis\n

• IRAS ID

  230710

• Contact name

  Gary Frost

• Contact email

  g.frost@imperial.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Imperial College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  5 years, 0 months, 3 days

• Research summary

  Research Summary
  Experimental studies have consistently highlighted that increased intake of dietary fibre is associated with reduced bodyweight and incidence of type 2 diabetes in humans. Dietary fibres are fermented by the gut microbiota, producing short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as the main end­products. SCFAs have recently been shown to have a number of positive effects on the human body. We have demonstrated that a long­term elevation in the SCFA propionate significantly reduced body weight gain in overweight adults and reduced liver fat storage. \nThe current project will examine potential mechanisms for the positive effect of propionate on energy homeostasis and metabolic profile. \nThe first study will look at the effects of propionate on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation at rest. The second study will determine the effects of propionate on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation during moderate-intensity exercise. And the third study will examine the effects of propionate on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation following a mixed meal tolerance test.

  Summary of Results
  Propionate supplementation increased energy expenditure in the overnight fasted state, which was mainly observed within the first 180 min of ingestion, and in the post-prandial state.

  A consistent increase in lipid oxidation was found in the overnight fasted state, however, these effects were not observed during submaximal exercise or in the post-prandial state.

  A decrease in carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation was also found in the overnight fasted state.

  Propionate ingestion increased subjective nausea in the overnight fasted and postprandial states and increased subjective thirst during submaximal exercise. However, no effect on subjective hunger was found was found in the three different energy states.

  GLP-1 secretion was significantly increased in the overnight fasted state, however, glucose and insulin were unaffected with propionate ingestion. In the overnight fasted state,

• REC name

  London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/LO/0433

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Mar 2018

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion