RELATIONSHIP OF A FIBER-RICH DIET AND EPITHELIAL-CELL PROLIFERATION IN THE DENERVATED DISTAL COLON IN THE RAT

The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship o f a fiber-rich diet on the epithelium of the descending colon submitte d to benzalkonium chloride (BAG) denervation in rats. The morphokineti cs of the mucosal epithelium were used the crypt cell production per c rypt (CCPC) and crypt cell population (CCP) and the denervation was ev aluated as neuronal population of the myenteric plexus. Treatment with BAC induced myenteric denervation, CCP increased significantly (p < 0 .05) with denervation and with cellulose ingestion. In contrast, CCPC was increased (p < 0.05) only in the descending colon of BAG-treated a nimals. In conclusion, cellulose ingestion and myenteric denervation i nduced a crypt proliferation response in the mucosa of the distal colo n, with a summation effect in animals submitted to both stimuli.