Quinoa bran insoluble dietary fiber-zinc chelate mediates intestinal flora structure to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in obese rats

Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and ZnSO4·7H2O were chelated to obtain the IDF-Zn. The Zn ion content was as high as 31.25 mg/g, which is a good source of Zn-rich products. The effects of IDF-Zn on metabolism and blood lipid levels were investigated in obese rats. Results showed that compared to IDF and organic Zn (ZnSO4·7H2O), IDF-Zn can significantly reduce the body weight, the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum, improve liver abnormal lipid sedimentation, oxidation stress state, and enhance the immunity of obese rats. Through 16S rRNA results, IDF-Zn intervention decreased the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and increased the abundance of probiotics (such as Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae, and Bacteroides), and decreased the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria (such as Romboutsia and Clostridia-UCG-014). These results suggest that IDF-Zn can adjust intestinal flora structure of high-fat diet rats, promote liver health, reduce lipid deposits, and ultimately positively impact glucolipid metabolism.