Lack of influence of intestinal transit on oxidative status in premenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

There are reasons for believing that diet can alter the risk of malignancy by alteration of the body's oxidative status. Intestinal contents and enterohepatically recirculated substances are influenced by intestinal transit rate. A low fibre diet has been linked to the increase in constipation seen in countries consuming a westernized diet, as well as to the aetiology of many diseases. We studied the effects of altering intestinal transit rates and of wheat bran on oxidative status.

DESIGN

40 premenopausal women were randomized to receive dietary supplements of wheat bran, senna or loperamide for the length of two menstrual cycles. Dietary records, whole gut transit time (WGTT) and plasma lipid peroxides, measured as TBARS (specifically malondialdehyde) were determined at the beginning and end of each intervention.

SETTING

University department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary.

RESULTS

36 volunteers completed the study. WGTT increased in those receiving loperamide and decreased in those receiving senna. The decrease in WGTT was not significant in those receiving wheat bran. Diets did not change. There were no changes in TBARS, cholesterol, triglyceride or TBARS adjusted for cholesterol and triglyceride, during any intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary supplementation with wheat bran and pharmacological alteration of intestinal transit had no influence on oxidative status or on plasma cholesterol or triglycerides.