Cecum and liver gene expression profiles in response to dietary fibre

To dentify cecal and liver gene expression changes associated with altered microbiota profiles and reduced weight gain in mice consuming a high-fat diet supplemented with the inulin, or with inulin esterified with propionate and butyrate. Male C57BL/6 mice, 12 weeks of age and 24-25 g in weight (Harlan, Bicester, UK), were acclimatised for 1 week to single housing on grid floors. Mice were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups (n=12) and fed, either: 1. HFD (45% of energy from fat) (D12451) 2. LFD (low fat diet) (10% fat by energy) (D12450B) acting as a positive and negative controls respectively or the HFD where 10% of the carbohydrate by weight (5% corn starch, 5% cellulose) was replaced by inulin or 5% each of inulin propionate and inulin butyrate ester for 8 weeks.