[PHNUTR-L] ... beta-glucan enriched oat bran increases faecal concentration of carboxylic acids in healthy subjects

[Kathrynne Holden]

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  Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007 May 23; [Epub ahead of print]	
     Dietary supplementation with beta-glucan enriched oat bran 
increases faecal concentration of carboxylic acids in healthy subjects.

     Nilsson U, Johansson M, Nilsson A, Björck I, Nyman M.

     1Applied Nutrition and Food Chemistry, Department of Food 
Technology, Engineering and Nutrition, Center for Chemistry and Chemical 
Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

     Background/Objective:Carboxylic acids (CAs), especially butyric 
acid, have been suggested to counteract colonic diseases, such as 
ulcerative colitis and colon cancer. Colonic formation of CAs can be 
influenced by the diet, but the concentrations and pattern formed need 
to be evaluated for different food products in humans. To elucidate how 
the colonic concentration of CAs in healthy subjects is influenced by 
dietary supplementation with oat bran, and whether the concentration 
varies over time and during consecutive 
days.Subjects/Methods:Twenty-five healthy subjects (age 24+/-1.3) were 
recruited to the study. The subjects were given 40 g beta-glucan 
enriched oat bran per day, corresponding to 20 g dietary fibre, in 4 
slices of bread. CAs were analysed in faeces during three consecutive 
days after 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks on this diet.Results:The concentration 
of acetic, propionic, butyric, isobutyric and isovaleric acid was higher 
(P<0.05-0.001) after 8 weeks on the oat bran diet as compared with 
values at entry, whereas that of lactic acid was lower (P<0.05). After 
12 weeks, the concentrations of acetic, propionic and isobutyric acid 
were still higher and that of lactic acid lower. The variation between 
individuals was considerable, whereas in the same individuals there was 
little variation.Conclusions:Oat bran increased the faecal concentration 
of CAs after 8 weeks, indicating an increased concentration also in the 
distal colon. The concentration of all main acids increased, except for 
lactic acid, which decreased. Oat bran may therefore have a preventive 
potential adjunct to colonic diseases.European Journal of Clinical 
Nutrition advance online publication, 23 May 2007; 
doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602816.

     PMID: 17522598 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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