Effect of wheat bran and pectin on bile acid and cholesterol excretion in ileostomy patients.

The effect of addition of pectin or wheat bran to a constant low-fibre diet on bile acid and cholesterol excretion from the small intestine has been studied in ileostomy patients. The study was designed to minimize bacterial alteration of ileostomy contents. An addition of 15 g of citrus pectin increased bile acid excretion by 35 per cent (P less than 0.05) and net cholesterol excretion by 14 per cent (P less than 0.05) in six patients, while 16 g of wheat bran to another six patients caused no consistent change. Ileostomy fat excretion increased on the diet with added pectin (P less than 0.05) but not on that with bran. The results support the concept of dietary fibre exerting its effects on lipid metabolism by altering intestinal excretion of sterols.