Aleurone supplementation enhances the metabolic benefits of training in Standardbred mares: impacts on glucose-insulin dynamics and gut microbiome composition.
Abstract: Aleurone, derived from the bran layer of grains like wheat and barley, has demonstrated positive effects on energy metabolism in pigs, mice, and untrained horses, influencing glucose-insulin dynamics and gut microbiome composition. Training itself enhances insulin sensitivity in horses, similar to the improvements in performance capacity observed in human athletes. This study aimed to investigate whether aleurone supplementation provides additional benefits to training by modulating insulin metabolism and gut microbiota in Standardbred mares. Unassigned: Sixteen Standardbred mares (aged 3-5 years) participated in a cross-over study with two 8-week training periods separated by 8 weeks of detraining. Each horse received either 200 g/day aleurone supplementation or a control diet. Insulin metabolism was evaluated using oral (OGTT) and intravenous (FSIGTT) glucose tolerance tests, measuring parameters such as Maximum, AUC, Maximum, AUC, Time to peak (OGTT), Acute Insulin Response to Glucose (AIRg), glucose effectiveness (Sg), and disposition index (DI) (FSIGTT). Fecal samples underwent metagenomic analysis to assess alpha and beta diversity and microbial composition. Unassigned: Training alone: Training significantly improved OGTT parameters by decreasing Maximum ( = 0.005) and AUC ( = 0.001), while increasing Time to peak ( = 0.03), indicating enhanced insulin sensitivity. FSIGTT results also showed a decrease in logAIRg ( = 0.044). Training with Aleurone: Aleurone supplementation further reduced FSIGTT AIRg ( = 0.030), logAIRg ( = 0.021) while increasing glucose effectiveness (Sg; = 0.031). These findings suggest aleurone improves insulin sensitivity, glucose disposal, and fasting glucose regulation beyond training. Microbiome analysis revealed training decreased , associated with dysbiosis, while aleurone reduced inflammation-associated . Beta diversity metrics showed no significant changes. Unassigned: Aleurone supplementation enhances training-induced improvements in glucose metabolism and fecal microbiota composition, which could offer potential benefits for equine athletes by optimizing metabolic flexibility. It also supports improvements in glucose and insulin dynamics, particularly by further enhancing insulin sensitivity and glucose-mediated disposal. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms of aleurone at the muscle and gut level and explore its potential applications for metabolic disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
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This study researched the effects of aleurone supplementation alongside training in Standardbred mares, and found that it has potential benefits in improving insulin metabolism and gut microbiota composition.
Overview of the Study
The study aimed to investigate the effects of aleurone supplementation, a substance derived from wheat and barley bran, in conjunction with training on insulin metabolism and gut microbiota in Standardbred mares.
Standardbred mares aged between 3-5 years participated in a crossover study involving two separate 8-week training periods separated by 8 weeks of detraining, receiving either a control diet or a diet with 200g/day aleurone supplementation.
The insulin metabolism of the horses was measured using oral (OGTT) and intravenous (FSIGTT) glucose tolerance tests, and various parameters such as Maximum, AUC, Time to peak (OGTT), Acute Insulin Response to Glucose (AIRg), glucose effectiveness (Sg), and disposition index (DI) (FSIGTT).
Findings of the Study
Training improved insulin sensitivity in the horses as indicated by significant improvements in OGTT parameters, including a decrease in Maximum and AUC and an increase in Time to peak.
Aleurone supplementation during training further reduced FSIGTT AIRg and logAIRg while increasing glucose effectiveness (Sg), suggesting that it aids in better insulin sensitivity, improved glucose disposal, and regulation of fasting glucose levels, beyond the effects of training alone.
Microbiome analysis showed that training decreased certain microbiota associated with dysbiosis, whilst aleurone supplementation reduced inflammation-associated microbiota.
However, beta diversity metrics of gut microbiota showed no significant changes.
Implications of the Study
The results obtained suggest that aleurone supplementation, in conjunction with training, can further enhance improvements in glucose metabolism and gut microbiota composition induced by training.
This could be beneficial for equine athletes by improving their metabolic flexibility and allowing for heightened performance and health.
The combined effects of aleurone and training also imply potential improvements in insulin sensitivity and glucose-mediated disposal, which may have applications for metabolic disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
Future studies would be useful to further investigate the mechanisms behind aleurone’s effects at the muscle and gut level.
Cite This Article
APA
Boshuizen B, De Maré L, Oosterlinck M, Van Immerseel F, Eeckhaut V, De Meeus C, Devisscher L, Vidal Moreno de Vega C, Willems M, De Oliveira JE, Hosotani G, Gansemans Y, Meese T, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, Vanderperren K, Verdegaal EL, Delesalle C.
(2025).
Aleurone supplementation enhances the metabolic benefits of training in Standardbred mares: impacts on glucose-insulin dynamics and gut microbiome composition.
Front Physiol, 16, 1565005.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2025.1565005
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Oosterlinck, Maarten
Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Immerseel, Filip
Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Special Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Eeckhaut, Venessa
Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Special Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
De Meeus, Constance
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Devisscher, Lindsey
Gut-Liver ImmunoPharmacology Unit, Department of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Vidal Moreno de Vega, Carmen
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Willems, Maarten
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
De Oliveira, Jean Eduardo
Cargill Research and Development Centre Europe, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
Hosotani, Guilherme
Cargill Research and Development Centre Europe, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
Gansemans, Yannick
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Meese, Tim
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Van Nieuwerburgh, Filip
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Deforce, Dieter
Department of Pharmaceutics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Vanderperren, Katrien
Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Verdegaal, Elisabeth-Lidwien
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Equine Health and Performance Centre, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Delesalle, Cathérine
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Research Group of Comparative Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Equine Health and Performance Centre, School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Conflict of Interest Statement
JD and GH are researchers employed by Cargill, which has exclusivity over distribution of aleurone for feed market in Europe produced according to patents held by Buhler Company. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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