Enteral feeding with low-methoxyl pectin accelerates colonic anastomosis healing in rats.

OBJECTIVE

Enteral feeding with pectin has proven beneficial for anastomosis healing in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low-methoxyl pectin (LMP) or high-methoxyl pectin (HMP), on colonic anastomosis healing in rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (age 7 wk) were fed liquid diets containing LMP, HMP, or no pectin (pectin-free [PF]) for 14 d (n = 10/group). The rats underwent colonic anastomosis surgery on day 7 and were sacrificed on day 14. Bursting pressure, breaking strength, and salt-soluble hydroxyproline at the anastomosis site were used as indices of anastomosis healing. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecal contents were analyzed.

RESULTS

Breaking strength was higher in the LMP group than in the other two groups (P < 0.001). The salt-soluble hydroxyproline content was higher in LMP group than in the PF group (P < 0.01). Bursting pressure did not differ among the three groups. The LMP group produced normal, formed stools, whereas watery stools were observed in HMP and PF groups throughout the experimental period. Cecal SCFAs were highest in LMP group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that LMP promotes healing of colonic anastomosis more effectively than HMP, which may be explained by the mechanical stresses generated by the movement of normally formed stool though the colon.