EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL-40 00 ON FECAL CONSISTENCY ANDDILUTION WATER IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Objectives. - The aim of the study was to assess in normal subjects th e changes in stool consistency and dilution water during the ingestion of small doses of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 5,9 g/d. Dilution water i s the water located outside solid structures (bacterin and food residu e). Methods. - Each stool passed by 16 non-constipated male volunteers was collected during 3 weeks. PEG was ingested from days 1 to 7, and stools collected during the ingestion of PEG were compared with those collected at least 24 h after the last fecal excretion of PEG (control fecal data). Consistency, fresh and dry weight, dilution water, nitro gen, electrolytes and PEG were quantified in each stool. Results. - St ools were softer during the ingestion of PEG (P < 0.01) and dilution w ater increased significantly (49.4 +/- 1.7 vs 37.6 +/- 2.6 mL/100 g fe ces, mean +/- SD, P < 0.02). PEG induced variable effects among indivi duals according to the consistency nod dilution water measured during the control period.Conclusion. - Low closes of PEG (5.9 g/d) soften st ools particularly when feces are harder. This effect is due to changes in dilution water (water outside fecal solid structures).