Although all 3 types of inulin resulted in similar improvements (P<0.05) in blood Hb concentration and liver ferritin protein amount, neither type of inulin was detectable in the digesta of cecum or colon. Supplemental inulin enhanced the expression of iron-storing protein genes but decreased that of inflammation-related genes. Such effects were more pronounced (P<0.05) in the mucosa of the lower than the upper gut and were seen on 7 genes in liver.
In conclusion, all 3 types of inulin shared similar efficacy and possibly similar modes of action in improving dietary iron utilization by young pigs. Suppressing inflammation-induced genes that can negatively influence iron metabolism might help explain the benefit of inulin.
K Yasuda, HD Dawson, EV Wasmuth, CA Roneker, C Chen, JF Urban, RM Welch, DD Miller, and XG Lei, 2009.Journal of Nutrition. 139: 2018.