Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate health outcomes resulting from dietary supplementation of novel, low-digestible carbohydrates in the cecum and colon of Sprague-Dawley rats randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups for 21 days: 5% cellulose (Control), Pectin, soluble fiber dextrin (SFD), or soluble corn fiber (SCF). Rats fed Pectin had a higher average daily food intake, but no differences in final body weights or rates of weight gain among treatments were observed. No differences were observed in total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) or branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) concentrations in the cecum and colon of rats fed either SFD or SCF. The SFD and SCF treatments increased cecal propionate and decreased butyrate concentrations compared to Control or Pectin. Pectin resulted in increased BCFA in the cecum and colon. Supplementation of SFD and SCF had no effect on cecal microbial populations compared to Control. Consumption of SFD and SCF increased total and empty cecal weight but not colon weight. Gut histomorphology was positively affected by SFD and SCF. Increased crypt depth, goblet cell numbers, and acidic mucin were observed in both the cecum and colon of rats supplemented with SFD, SCF, and Pectin. These novel, low-digestible carbohydrates appear to be beneficial in modulating indices of hindgut morphology when supplemented in the diet of the rat.
Highlights
Dietary fiber as a promoter of healthy gut function and other health benefits is well recognized [1].most of the population of the United States consumes less than half the recommended concentration of dietary fiber daily [2]
Low-digestible carbohydrates, is becoming popular as a food ingredient, due to their potential to improve both the physical and chemical properties of foods, and due to possible health benefits associated with their consumption that are similar in nature to those of dietary fiber [3]
Dietary treatments were similar in Dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), CP, acid hydrolyzed fat (AHF), and gross energy (GE) composition (Table 1)
Summary
Most of the population of the United States consumes less than half the recommended concentration of dietary fiber daily [2] This has led to a demand for the development of novel carbohydrates that have functional properties similar to those of dietary fiber but that may be incorporated more into a wider array of solid and liquid food matrices. Low-digestible carbohydrates may beneficially impact the morphology of the gastrointestinal tract, especially through modulation of the mucosal layer. This layer is primarily composed of mucin glycoproteins synthesized and secreted by goblet cells that serve as a protective barrier for the epithelial cells [7]. Modulation of the mucosal layer may positively or detrimentally affect this barrier and, the health of the gastrointestinal tract
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