POLYDEXTROSE AND ACTIVITIES OF BRUSH-BORDER MEMBRANE ENZYMES OF SMALL-INTESTINE IN RATS AND GLUCOSE-ABSORPTION IN HUMANS

We investigated the effect of polydextrose, one of the water-soluble n ondigestible polysaccharides, on the activities of brush-border membra ne enzymes of small intestine in rats and on glucose absorption with r elation to the thickness of the unstirred water layer in humans. Rats were fed a 5% polydextrose-supplemented elemental diet for 2 or 4 wk. The mucosal alkaline phosphatase, maltase, and sucrase activities were measured in the upper, middle, and lower intestine. There was no sign ificant difference between control and polydextrose groups. The potent iometric tube was inserted orally in the jejunum. Glucose absorption w as measured by perfusion with the solutions with or without 5% polydex trose. There was no significant difference in the glucose absorption r ate or the thickness of the unstirred water layer between control and polydextrose solutions. The increase in viscosity of the polydextrose solution was negligible. This study indicated that polydextrose had no effect on the thickness of the unstirred water layer and did not inhi bit glucose absorption in humans.