PECTIN IMPROVES COLONIC FUNCTION IN RAT SHORT-BOWEL SYNDROME

Short bowel syndrome is characterized by weight loss, diarrhea, and ma labsorption. Pectin, a highly fermentable fiber, improves small and la rge bowel mucosal structure, prolongs intestinal transit, and decrease s diarrhea. This study determined if the addition of citrus pectin to an enteral liquid diet (LD) improved structure and absorptive function in the rat jejunum and colon following massive intestinal resection. Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of gastrostomy tube for isocaloric, isonitrogenous feeding and either 60% small bowe l and cecal resection or small bowel transection with anastomosis. Ani mals in each group were then randomly and equally assigned to receive either LD (Enercal Plus, Wyeth) or LD supplemented with 2% citrus pect in for 7 days. Study variables included body weight change, percentage of stool solidity, jejunal villous height (JVH) and crypt depth, colo nic crypt depth (CCD), and colonic short-chain fatty acid content (SCF A). Jejunal [C-14]glucose absorption and colonic [H-3]H2O absorption w ere measured by a dual in vivo perfusion assay. Resection significantl y (P < 0.05) decreased body weight, stool solidity, and colonic SCFA c ontent; enlarged structure (JVH, CCD); and increased absorptive functi on in the remaining bowel. Pectin significantly decreased (P < 0.05) b ody weight loss, increased (P < 0.05) stool solidity, and improved (P = 0.05) colonic water absorption following resection without significa ntly altering mucosal structure. It is concluded that pectin improves colonic absorptive function following massive bowel resection in the r at. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.