Reduced fibre-fermenting capacity of gut microbes in multiple sclerosis may result in prebiotic dietary fibre β-fructan promoting inflammation and CNS damage.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some people with multiple sclerosis display changes in their gut microbiota with separate evidence suggesting that symptoms may worsen following a high-fibre diet. We hypothesised that in people with multiple sclerosis whose gut microbiota are less able to efficiently ferment dietary fibres, unfermented β-fructans induce inflammation.

Methods

Diet data (n=48 individuals with multiple sclerosis, n=78 unaffected controls) and stool microbiome data (n=31 individuals with multiple sclerosis, n=61 unaffected controls) were previously collected from participants. Daily fibre subtype intakes were calculated and compared with faecal shotgun metagenomic sequencing in paediatric onset multiple sclerosis and unaffected persons. Response to unfermented β-fructans was examined

SUBMITTER: Tollenaar SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12829359 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature