Resistant starch type 4 modulates gut microbiota in adults with metabolic syndrome

Dietary modulation of gut microbial community has a significant impact on metabolic diversity and human health. To examine how resistant starch type 4 (RS4), a prebiotic fiber, modulates the gut microbiome particularly in individuals with metabolic syndrome, here we characterize bacterial and archaeal species in fecal samples from Hutterites adults in South Dakota, USA. A total of 86 participants consumed RS4-enriched (30%, v/v) or control flour during a 26-week, double-blind, crossover study with a 2-week washout period. Fecal samples were collected before and after each 12-week long intervention. Twenty subjects were screened based on the availability of fecal samples in each of four visits, followed by metagenomic sequencing. 16S-rRNA gene sequencing revealed a differential abundance of bacterial taxa that associated with short chain fatty acids and other host’s biological parameters. These results suggest that the prebiotic actions of RS4 contribute to its biological activity through modulation of gut microbiota, which has important implications for cardio-metabolic health management.