A Purified Glucomannan Oligosaccharide from Amorphophallus konjac Improves Colonic Mucosal Barrier Function via Enhancing Butyrate Production and Histone Protein H3 and H4 Acetylation

A structurally defined konjac glucomannan oligosaccharide (KGMOS) with a relatively high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (molecular weight ranging from 3000 to 4000 Da, degree of polymerization (dp) 8–11) was prepared from native konjac glucomannan (KGM), and the beneficial effects and molecular mechanisms of KGMOS on colonic functions were investigated in C57BL/6 mice. The results are the first to reveal that KGMOS regulated intestinal microflora composition to facilitate the production of colonic butyrate. Elevated butyrate production further increased the acetylation of histone proteins H3 and H4 and thus enhanced the transcription of the major colonic mucin gene Muc2 and the secretion of mucin elements, which represents a new molecular mechanism of KGM oligosaccharide consumption. The findings indicate that KGM oligosaccharides with specific molecular sizes have highly desirable functional properties and potentially could improve gut health by promoting the barrier function of the colonic mucosa.