PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation upon trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. METHODS: 64 Wistar rats were given water, soluble fiber or FOS intragastrically during 14 days prior to colitis induction with TNBS (n=48) or rectal enema with water (n=16; control group). On the 7th or 14th day following colitis induction the rats were weighed and euthanized in order to determine the colon weight/length ratio and macroscopic and microscopic scores. RESULTS: On the 7th day following colitis induction the body weight had decreased significantly, the colon weight/length ratio had increased and macroscopic and microscopic colon lesions were observed. On the 14th day following colitis induction no difference in body weight was observed, in spite of the persistence of macroscopic and microscopic lesions and increased colon weight/length ratio. Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS did not revert colon lesions or any of the study parameters. Supplementation with FOS, but not with fiber, was associated with increased colon weight/length ratio on the 14th day. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with soluble fiber or FOS produced no significant impact on TNBS-induced colitis in rats.
Colitis; Dietary Fiber; Trinitrobenzenesulphonic Acid; Rats
