The effect of different dosages of guar gum on gastric emptying and small intestinal transit of a consumed semisolid meal

Background: There is no consensus about the effect of guar gum supplementat ion on gastrointestinal transit. It has been suggested that guar Sum slows gastric emptying and intestinal transit, thus inducing an increased feeling of satiety. Objective: To investigate whether addition of guar gum to a semisolid meal affects gastrointestinal transit. Design: Eight male subjects were randomly studied four rimes. They consumed a standard semisolid test meal containing either 0 g, 2.5 p, 3.5 g, or 4.5 g of guar gum. The test meals contained 1 mCi Tc-99m-hepatate for scintigr aphy and 5 g lactulose for the H-2-breath test. Scintigraphic scanning was performed for at least two hours, and gastric half-emptying time (Tin) was calculated. Breath samples were collected at 15 minute intervals and analyz ed for H-2-enrichment. The orocecal transit time (OCTT) was then determined . A parameter of intestinal transit (PIT) was obtained by subtracting the T 1/2 from the OCTT. Results: There were no significant differences tin minutes) between the dif ferent tests in both T1/2 (0 g, t = 88.2 +/- 11, 2.5 g, t = 83.3 =/- 11.9, 3.5 g, t = 83.3 +/- 13.6, 4.5 g, t = 72.4 +/- 7.2, p = 0.86) and PIT (0,a, t = 149.9 +/- 26.6, 2.5 g, t = 145.5 +/- 25.6, t = 3.5 g, t = 175.3 +/- 17. 6, t = 4.5 g, t = 152.6 +/- 22.4, p = 0.52). Conclusion: Addition of guar gum to a semisolid meal up to a dosage of 4.5 g does nor affect gastrointestinal transit. Other mechanisms than gastroint estinal motility are involved in a possible satiating effect of guar gum su pplementation.