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Only a few reports have compared the fermentation of pectin and cellulose using the hydrogen-breath test, and no studies have examined the relation between the hydrogen breathing pattern and colonic microflora. Using breath-hydrogen measurements, we investigated whether different dietary fibers (DFs) were fermented differently and whether there were individual differences after ingestion of the same DF; we also examined the relation between individual fecal microflora and the fermentation of DF. Results of hydrogen tests in 14 men were compared after they had ingested 20 g of pectin, 20 g of cellulose, or 6 g of lactulose (a DF-like substance). We examined the relation between the breath hydrogen results and the subjects' fecal microflora. We defined significant fermentation (i.e., positive cases) as a continuous rise in hydrogen in the expiratory air of >19 ppm. The subjects were divided into 3 groups according to their hydrogen breath test pattern, i.e., positive for lactulose and pectin (Group LP, n = 4); positive for lactulose alone (Group L, n = 7); and negative for pectin, cellulose, and lactulose (Group N, n = 3). Individual differences were noted in subjects from Group LP and Group L. The detection frequency of lecithinase-negative clostridia was higher in Group LP than in the other groups (P < 0.05), and the detection frequency and the number of lecithinase-positive clostridia were higher in Groups LP and L than in Group N (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the Clostridium species are associated with hydrogen production. The hydrogen breath test results of DFs depend on both the type of DF and the individual colonic microflora. The amount and constitution of colonic microflora might be predicted by the hydrogen-breath test using different DFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the definition of resistant starch (RS), the true value of foodstuff-derived RS can be assessed only from that found in the contents of the terminal ileum. To date, a few methods exist for in vivo measurement of RS in the terminal ileum, but their accuracy is questionable. The aim of this study was to quantify the level of RS in the terminal ileum to determine its true value as dietary fiber (DF). Volunteers (n = 7 men) were given a test meal containing 10 g of heat moisture-treated high amylose cornstarch (HMT-HAS) containing 8.8 g of RS as measured by Englyst's method. A double-lumen tube was positioned in the terminal ileum using the endoscopic retrograde bowel insertion method (ERBI). Intestinal contents were aspirated, and the amount of RS was measured as the glucose concentration (Englyst's method), and compared with the values for RS administrated orally using the same method. The mean amount of HMT-HAS-derived RS collected in the terminal ileum was 3.37 +/- 0.95 g (mean +/- SD), which was 34.5 +/- 9.7% of the in vitro RS value. Furthermore, there were large individual differences in recoveries, ranging from 22.2 to 47.5%. The measured amount of HMT-HAS-derived RS was much smaller in our in vivo study than that measured in vitro, suggesting that in vitro measurement may inaccurately estimate the RS and DF levels of foodstuffs. The problem is further compounded by the large individual in vivo variations in RS values from subjects consuming identical diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated 71 horses at five stud farms. Their breeds were Thoroughbred (n =48), Anglo-Arab (n =7), Thoroughbred mixed breed (n =5), Appaloosa (n =3), Selle Francais (n =2), Dutch Warmblood, Haflinger, Pinto, Quarter Horse and Westfalen (n =1, respectively), and one horse''s breed was not known, but was a heavy horse. Their genders were stallion (n =5), gelding (n =41) and female (n =25). Their ages ranged from 4 to 24 and the average was 11.1±5.3 (S.D.). The horses’ behaviour was twice observed for 2h both before and after feeding, using a scan sampling technique at 2min intervals. We investigated the relationship between management factors, age, sex, breed and behavioural patterns of stabled horses, and the occurrence of weaving by a least-squares analysis of variance, a correlation analysis, Chi-square test and an analysis of behavioural sequences. Thoroughbred horses displayed weaving more than other breeds (P <0.01) and horses in box stalls which were face to face with each other displayed weaving more than those in box stalls which were formed in a line (P <0.01). The time budget of weaving correlated negatively with the amount of hay-cube fed (kg/day) (P <0.05) and time budgets of drinking, bedding investigation, looking and coprophagia (P <0.01, respectively). From the analysis of behavioural sequences, weaving followed resting (P <0.01), looking (P <0.01) and pawing (P <0.05), and was followed by them (P <0.01, P <0.01 and P <0.05, respectively). The least-squares analysis of variance revealed that Thoroughbred horses investigated the bedding more than other breeds (P <0.05), horses that are usually in contact with ‘mainly familiar people’ investigated the bedding significantly less than those usually in contact with ‘people including strangers’ (P <0.05), and horses in box stalls which were face to face with each other tended to investigate the bedding more than those in box stalls which were formed in a line. The time spent feeding was related to food type (min/kg), and tended to be negatively correlated with the time budget of bedding investigation behaviour. These results indicate that weaving in horses is affected by breed, stable design, feed type, and other behavioural traits. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Dietary fiber by definition is resistant to digestion and absorption in the human small intestine, and it should naturally reach the large intestine. To date, there have been several reports that have examined in vivo how much dietary fiber actually reaches the terminal ileum in human subjects using glucose, with large differences in results. We compared the amount of pectin in the human terminal ileum with that of orally administered pectin. Methods: Seven healthy male volunteers ages 20 to 27 y were given a test meal containing 4.05 g of pectin. A double-lumen tube was placed in the terminal ileum by using the endoscopic retrograde bowel insertion method, and the ileal contents were aspirated through the tube. Amounts of pectin orally administered and collected from the terminal ileum were estimated as galacturonic acid concentrations (Englyst’s method) and were compared with each other. Results: The mean ± standard deviation amount of pectin collected in the terminal ileum was 3.58 ± 0.43 g, or 88.4 ± 10.5% of pectin administered. Further, there were large individual differences in recovery, ranging from 76.8% to 105.1%. Conclusions: Approximately 90% of ingested pectin was recovered in the terminal ileum in this study. Ten percent may have been degraded by bacteria within the digestive tract, especially the terminal ileum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The number of bedridden elderly patients who need a liquid diet has been increasing. We evaluated the usefulness of a tube-fed liquid diet containing cellulose and oligosaccharide for elderly bedridden patients. Methods: Twenty-two elderly bedridden patients were given a liquid diet containing cellulose and lafinose for 4 wk. Parameters associated with blood and stool weight were measured during this period. Results: Stool weight increased by 32.0 g in men and 8.8 g in women at 2 wk and remained at these weights up to 4 wk (P < 0.05 before and after 2 wk, 3 wk, and 4 wk in men, and P < 0.05 before and after 3 wk in women). Body weight increased in men (0.5 kg) and women (0.7 kg) 15 d after starting the diet and then remained at these values up to 29 d thereafter, and statistically significant differences were not seen. There were no changes in nutritional parameters such as total protein. Conclusion: No significant changes were observed in the general condition of elderly patients, with the exception of a positive increase in fecal weight, by 30-d supplementation of a liquid diet containing cellulose and lafinose. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]