Soy-polysaccharide-supplemented soy formula enhances mucosal disaccharidase levels following massive small intestinal resection in rats.

BACKGROUND

Addition of soy polysaccharide to infant formulas has previously been shown to reduce the duration of diarrhea in infants with acute gastroenteritis. Fiber is metabolized to short-chain fatty acids that have been shown to be beneficial in inducing adaptation in the small bowel. We therefore hypothesize that a soy-polysaccharide-supplemented infant formula may be potentially advantageous in the treatment of patients with short bowel syndrome and could have a trophic effect on the remaining small intestine.

METHODS

Male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 250 g were divided into two groups. One group received Isomil, a standard infant soy formula. The second group received Isomil supplemented with fiber, Isomil DF. Half the animals in each dietary group were subjected to 80% jejunoileal resection and the reminder were sham operated. Animals were pair-fed one of two diets for 14 days. At the conclusion of the 14-day period, mucosal weight and sucrase and lactase levels in the remaining duodenum and ileum were determined.

RESULTS

Resected animals fed fiber-supplemented formulas had significantly higher sucrase and lactase levels in the proximal bowel. Comparable results were not observed in the sham-operated animals.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of soy polysaccharide to infant formulas fed to children with short bowel syndrome might potentially improve small intestinal functional adaptation as well as positively affecting stool consistency.