The effect of two fiber systems in enteral formulas on fecal output, mineral balance, weight gain, and cecal short-chain fatty acid production was studied in rats. Enteral products tested had either no fiber; soy fiber (3.4 g of total dietary fiber/8 fluid oz); a fiber blend containing 75% oat fiber, 17.5% gum arabic, and 7.5% carboxymethylcellulose (3.4 g of total dietary fiber/8 fluid oz); or the same blend at 4 g of total dietary fiber/8 fluid oz. Food, feces, and urine were analyzed for nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Cecal contents were analyzed for short-chain fatty acids. Weight gain, intake, food efficiency, and nitrogen balance were unaffected by fiber source. Fecal weight was increased by the fiber blend (p < .05). Calcium and magnesium balances were similar for all groups fed fiber-containing products but were lower for the fiber-free group (p < .05). Iron balance was significantly lower for rats fed the fiber blend at 4 g/8 fluid oz as compared with the other treatment groups (p < .05). Cecal acetate, propionate, and total short-chain fatty acid concentrations for rats fed the soy-fiber diet were significantly higher than for the other three diets (p < .05). Rats fed the fiber blend at the higher level had a significantly higher percentage of butyrate production than rats fed the other three diets (p < .05). Results indicate that the fiber blend increases fecal bulk, has no negative effect on growth or retention of calcium and magnesium, does not affect iron balance when fed at 3.4 g of total dietary fiber/8 fluid oz, and enhances butyrate production (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 18:340–345, 1994)
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Jenkins DJA, Wolever TMS, Leeds AR, et al: Dietary fibres, fibre analogues, and glucose tolerance: Importance of viscosity. Br Med J1: 1392–1394, 1978.
2.
2. Blackburn NA, Reafem JS, Jarjis H, et al: The mechanism of action of guar gum in improving glucose tolerance in man. Clin Sci66:329–336, 1984.
3.
3. Jenkins DJA, Gassull MA, Leeds AR, et al: Effect of dietary fiber on complications of gastric surgery: Prevention of postprandial hypoglycemia by pectin. Gastroenterology73:215–217, 1977.
4.
4. Anderson JW: Special topics in endocrinology and metabolism. IN Cohen MP, Foa PP (eds). Alan R. Liss Inc.New York, 1981, pp 1–42
5.
5. Pavler DK, Pomare DW, Heaton KW, et al: The effect of wheat bran on intestinal transit. Gut16:209–213, 1975.
6.
6. Wyman JB, Heaton DW, Manning AP, et al: The effect on intestinal transit and feces of raw and cooked bran in different doses. Am J Clin Nutr29: 1474–1479, 1976.
7.
7. Soergel KH: The role of short-chain fatty acids in the treatment of colitis. IN Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Metabolism and Clinical Importance, Report of the Tenth Ross Conference on Medical Research. Ross Laboratories, Columbus, OH, 1991, pp 82–85
8.
8. Rombeau JL. Uses of short-chain fatty acids in experimental postoperative conditions. IN Short-Chain Fatty Acids: Metabolism and Clinical Importance, Report of the Tenth Ross Conference on Medical Research. Ross Laboratories, Columbus, OH, 1991, pp 93–96
9.
9. Kelsay JL: Effects of fiber on mineral and vitamin bioavailability. IN Dietary Fiber in Health and Disease, Vahouny GV, Kritchevsky D (eds). Plenum Press, New York, 1986, pp 361–372
10.
10. Torre M, Rodriquez AR, Saura-Calixto F: Effects of dietary fiber and phytic acid on mineral availability. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr1:1–22, 1991.
11.
11. Simpson KM, Morris ER, Cook JD: The inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption in man. Am J Clin Nutr34: 1469–1478, 1981.
12.
12. Monnier L, Colette C, Aguirre L, et al: Evidence and mechanism for pectin-reduce intestinal inorganic iron absorption in idiopathic hemochromatosis. Am J Clin Nutr33: 1225–1232, 1980.
13.
13. Godara R, Kaur AP, Bhat CM: Effect of cellulose incorporation in a low fiber diet on fecal excretion and serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iron in adolescent girls. Am J Clin Nutr34: 1083–1086, 1981.
14.
14. Reinhold JG, Faradji B, Abadi P, et al: Decreased absorption of calcium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus by humans due to increased fiber and phosphorus consumption as wheat bread. J Nutr106:493–503, 1976.
15.
15. Silberman H: Enteral nutrition. IN Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2nd ed, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, CT, 1988, pp 117–187
16.
16. Specialized nutrition support. IN Mayo Clinical Diet Manual, 6th ed, Pemberton CM, Moxness KE, German MJ, et al (eds). BC Decker Inc., Philadelphia, 1988, pp 261–286
17.
17. MacBurney MM, Young LS: Formulas. IN Enteral and Tube Feeding, Rombeau JL, Caldwell MD (eds). WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1984, pp 171–108
18.
18. Liebl BH, Fischer MH, Van Calcar SC, et al: Dietary fiber and long-term large bowel response in enterally nourished nonambulatory profoundly retarded youth. JPEN14:371–375, 1990.
19.
19. Slavin JL, Nelson NL, McNamara EA, et al: Bowel function of healthy men consuming liquid diets with and without dietary fiber. JPEN9:317–321, 1985.
20.
20. Frankenfield DC, Beyer PL. Soy-polysaccharide fiber. Effect on diarrhea in tube-fed, head-injured patients. Am J Clin Nutr50:533–538, 1989.
21.
21. Dobb GJ, Towler SC: Diarrhoea during enteral feeding in the critically ill: A comparison of feeds with and without fibre. Intensive Care Med16:252–255, 1990.
22.
22. Taper LJ, Milam RS, McCallister MS, et al: Mineral retention in young men consuming soy-fiber-augmented liquid-formula diets. Am J Clin Nutr48:305–311, 1988.
23.
23. Heymsfield SB, Roongspisuthipong C, Evert M, et al: Fiber supplementation of enteral formulas: Effects on the bioavailability of major nutrients and gastrointestinal tolerance. JPEN12:265–273, 1988.
24.
24. Van Soest P, Horvath P, McBurney M, et al: Some in vitro and in vivo properties of dietary fibers from noncereal sources. IN Unconventional Sources of Dietary Fiber, Furda I (ed). American College of Surgeons Symposium Series 214, Washington DC, 1983, pp 135–141
25.
25. Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official methods of analysis 14th ed. Washington, DC, 1985
26.
26. McBurney MI, Thompson LU: In vitro fermentabilities of purified fiber sources. J Food Sci54:347–350, 1989.
27.
27. Shankardass K, Chuchmach S, Chelswick K, et al: Bowel function of long-term tube-fed patients consuming formulae with and without dietary fiber. JPEN14:508–512, 1990.
28.
28. Zimmaro DM, Rolandelli RH, Koruda MJ, et al: Isotonic tube-feeding formula induces liquid stool in normal subjects: Reversal by pectin. JPEN13:117–123, 1989.
29.
29. Guenter PA, Settle RG, Perlmutter S, et al: Tube-feeding-related diarrhea in acutely ill patients. JPEN14:277–280, 1991.
30.
30. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology: Physiological effects and health consequences of dietary fiber. US Department of Health and Human Services, 1987.
31.
31. Bourquin LD, Titgemeyer EC, Fahey GC, et al: Fermentation of dietary fibre by human colonic bacteria: Disappearance of short-chain fatty acid production from, and potential water holding capacity of, various substrates. Scand J Gastroenterol28:249–255, 1993.
32.
32. Ross Medical Nutritional System. Ross Product Handbook. Ross Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio, 1993, p 75
33.
33. Van Der AAR, Fahey GC, Ricke SC, et al: Effects of dietary fibers on mineral status of chicks. J Nutr113:653–661, 1983.
34.
34. Drews M, Hes C, Fox HM: Effect of dietary fiber on copper, zinc, and magnesium utilization by adolescent boys. Am J Clin Nutr32: 1873–1879, 1979.
35.
35. Deleted in proof
36.
36. Shinnick FL, Hess RL, Fischer MH, et al: Apparent nutrient absorption and upper gastrointestinal transit with fiber-containing enteral feedings. Am J Clin Nutr49:471–475, 1989.
37.
37. Ausman LM, Russell RM: Nutrition and the elderly. IN Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism with Clinical Applications, 2nd ed, Under MC (ed). Elsevier, New York, 1991, pp 373–390
38.
38. von Engelhardt W, Busche R, Gros G, et al: Absorption of short-chain fatty acids: Mechanisms and regional differences in the large intestine. IN Short-chain Fatty Acids: Metabolism and Clinical Importance. Report of the Tenth Ross Conference on Medical Research. Ross Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio, 1991, pp 60–62
39.
39. Roediger WEW: Utilization of nutrients by isolated epithelia cells of the rat colon. Gastroenterology83:424–429, 1982.
40.
40. Sakata T: Effects of indigestible dietary bulk and short-chain fatty acids on the tissue weight and epithelial cell proliferation rate of the digestive tract in rats. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo)32:355–362, 1986.
41.
41. Clausen MR, Bonnen H, Mortensen PB: Colonic fermentation of dietary fibre to short-chain fatty acids in patients with adenomatous polyps and colonic cancer. Gut32:923–928, 1991.
42.
42. Lin Chen W, Anderson JW, Jennings D: Propionate may mediate the hypocholesterolemic effects of certain soluble plant fibers in cholesterol-fed rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med175:215–218, 1984.
43.
43. Ide T, Okamatsu H, Sugano M: Regulation by dietary fats of 3-hy-droxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase in rat liver. J Nutr108:601–612, 1978.
