Abstract
The intestinal epithelium plays an important role in maintaining the intestinal barrier and facilitating nutrient absorption. It also serves as a critical physical barrier against the infiltration of foreign substances from the intestinal lumen into the circulation. Intestinal barrier dysfunction has been implicated in the development of several diseases. Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs), which are a type of dietary fiber, possess multiple health benefits. However, there is limited information regarding their efficacy against gastrointestinal diseases. This review explores the therapeutic potential of IMOs in obesity, diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperlipidemia, and constipation. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity models have shown that IMOs, administered alone or in combination with other compounds, exhibit potent antiobesity effects, making them promising agents in the treatment of obesity and its associated complications. Moreover, IMOs exhibit preventive effects against HFD-induced metabolic dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid levels, thereby ameliorating symptoms. Furthermore, IMOs can reduce IBD and alleviate hyperlipidemia, as indicated by the reduced histological colitis scores and improved lipid profiles observed in clinical trials and animal studies. This review highlights IMOs as a versatile intervention strategy that can improve gastrointestinal health by modulating gut microbiota, immune responses, and metabolic parameters, providing a multifaceted approach to address the complex nature of gastrointestinal disorders.