Investigation on the fate of orally administered DEAE-dextran in rats.

The breakdown of the carbohydrates by the colonic bacterial flora can cause intestinal symptoms, such as meteorism, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The ability of digestive enzymes and colonic bacterial flora to break down the DEAE-dextran, a new lipid lowering resin, was investigated in rats. DEAE-dextran appeared to be unaffected by either enzyme activity in the small intestine or bacterial flora in the large intestine. This may be important when dealing with the pharmacological activity of DEAE-dextran and estimating its side effects. Small intestinal transit rate appeared to be accelerated by oral DEAE-dextran in rats.