Age-Dependent Prebiotic Effects of Soluble Corn Fiber in M-SHIME® Gut Microbial Ecosystems

Soluble corn fiber (SCF) has demonstrated prebiotic effects in clinical studies. Using an in vitro mucosal simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (M-SHIME®) model, the effects of SCF treatment on colonic microbiota composition and metabolic activity and on host-microbiome interactions were evaluated using fecal samples from healthy donors of different ages (baby [≤ 2 years], n = 4; adult [18–45 years], n = 2; elderly [70 years], n = 1). During the 3-week treatment period, M-SHIME® systems were supplemented with SCF daily (baby, 1.5, 3, or 4.5 g/d; adult, 3 or 8.5 g/d; and elderly, 8.5 g/d). M-SHIME® supernatants were evaluated for their effect on the intestinal epithelial cell barrier and inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide. (LPS)-stimulated cells. Additionally, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and microbial community composition were assessed. In the baby and adult models, M-SHIME® supernatants from SCF treated vessels protected Caco-2 membrane integrity from LPS-induced damage. SCF treatment resulted in the expansion of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Bifidobacterial, as well as increased SCFA production in all age groups. SCF tended to have the greatest effect on propionate production. These findings demonstrate the prebiotic potential of SCF in babies, adults, and the elderly and provide insight into the mechanisms behind the observed prebiotic effects.