GASTROINTESTINAL GROWTH IN RATS AS INFLUENCED BY INDIGESTIBLE POLYSACCHARIDES AND ADAPTATION PERIOD

Hypertrophy of the small intestinal tissue evolved during the initial 9 days in rats fed pectin or guar gum. Hypertrophy of the caecal and c olonic tissue continued beyond day 9. Caecal hypertrophy was observed in rats fed pectin, guar gum or resistant starch, while colonic hypert rophy was observed only in rats fed pectin or resistant starch. There is a time lag in the adaptive response of the caecum and colon as comp ared with the small intestine, at least for dietary polysaccharides. T his time lag is suggested to be related to the time required for the m icroflora to adapt to the dietary PS.