Diet and disease response in an animal model of inflammatory bowel disease

Date
1992
DOI
Authors
Stoker, Terry Wicker
Version
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Elemental, and recently, polymeric, formulas are being used as primary therapy in the treatment of active Crohn’s disease. This study examined the effects of elemental, polymeric, and low-fiber diets on intestinal permeability and the acute phase response in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of chronic intestinal inflammation in rats. In the first study, 15 rats were randomized to one of 3 diets, including Vivonex TEN, Ensure, and standard rat chow. Animals were fed ad lib for a period of 6 weeks, at which time osmotic pumps (2M1 2) containing Salmonella typhosa (LPS) (Boivin extract) were placed in the peritoneal cavity of all animals. Animals were subsequently fed for an additional 10 days and sacrificed. Ascites fluid, spleen weights, and hematocrit values were obtained as measurements of the acute phase response. Macroscopic examination as well as intestinal and hepatic pathology were reported. In the second study, 21 rats were randomized to 1 of 4 diets, including Vivonex TEN, liquid rat chow (low fiber), Ensure, and standard rat chow. Animals were fed ad lib for a period of 2 weeks, with subsequent LPS infusion for a period of l week. Urinary lactulose excretion pre- and post-LPS infusion was measured. Histological and intestinal permeability data suggested Vivonex was protective at the intestinal level. Possible reasons include the low lipid content as well as the low antigenicity of the formula. The acute phase response was significantly depressed in the Ensure-fed animals, compared to controls, possibly secondary to its high long-chain fatty acid content as well as its low arginine content. These data suggest that the chronic intestinal inflammation produced by continuous LPS infusion can be modulated by enteral feeding, especially by low fiber, elemental diets enriched with glutamine.
Description
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Thesis (D.Sc.D.)--Boston University, Henry M. Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry, 1991 (Nutritional Sciences)
Includes bibliography (leaves 104-119)
License
This work is protected by copyright. Downloading is restricted to the BU community. If you are the author of this work and would like to make it publicly available, please contact open-help@bu.edu.