Modified starch enhances absorption and accelerates recovery in experimental diarrhea in rats

Rice gruels have been used as home remedies to treat dehydration associated with diarrheal illness in developing countries. These preparations have pr oduced conflicting results, most Likely due to the heterogeneity of starch used. We investigated whether the modified tapioca starch, Textra(TM) (TX), at 5.0 or 10.0 gn added to a 90 mmol/L Na+-111 mmol glucose oral rehydrati on solution (ORS) enhanced water and electrolyte absorption in two models o f diarrhea. To induce a secretory state (model A), the jejunum of juvenile rats was perfused with 10 mmol/L theophylline (THEO) under anesthesia and t hen perfused with the solutions indicated above. To produce chronic osmotic -secretory diarrhea (model B), rats had a magnesium citrate-phenolphthalein solution as the sole fluid source for 1 wk, and then were perfused as the THEO-treated rats. Water, electrolyte, and glucose absorption were measured during both perfusions. As an extension of the perfusion studies, we compa red how fast rats recovered from chronic osmotic diarrhea by offering them either water, ORS, or ORS containing 5.0 g/L TX along with solid food. Reco very rate markers were measured after 24 h and included weight, gain, food and fluid intake, and stool output. In model A, addition of 5.0 g/L TX to O RS reversed Na+ secretion and improved net water as well as K+ and glucose absorption, compared with THEO-treated rats perfused with ORS without TX. I n model B, addition of TX to ORS increased water, Na+ K+, and glucose absor ption, compared with rats perfused without TX. Increasing TX from 5.0 to 10 .0 g/L had no additional benefit. In recovery experiments, animals with fre e access to ORS with TX had significantly greater weight gain and decreased stool output compared with animals recovering with water or ORS without TX . Our experiments suggest that TX may be a useful additive to standard ORS to promote fluid and electrolyte absorption and may provide additional ener gy without increasing ORS osmotic load.