EFFECTS OF DIETARY FIBER ON PROSTANOID CONCENTRATIONS IN CECAL MUCOSAOF RATS

Changes were investigated in prostanoid contents in cecal mucosa of ra ts fed with guar gum, a fiber diet. The rats were divided into 3 group s, the control group fed non-fiber diet and 2 groups fed respectively diets containing 7.5% and 15% of guar gum. Twelve rats in each group w ere sacrificed 10, 20, and 30 days respectively after initiation of di ets, and length and weight of cecum and prostanoid contents in cecal m ucosa were determined. The length and weight of cecum increased signif icantly 10 days after commencement of the fiber diets, and more remark able changes were observed in the 15% fiber diet group. The ratio of p rostaglandin (PG) E(2) to PGD(2) (PGE(2)/PGD(2)) was also increased by the content of-guar gum dependently. These results suggest that alter ation in prostanoid profiles is implicated in the fiber diet-induced e nlargement of large bowels.