QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gordon, D. T. Articles by Ellersieck, M. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gordon, D. T. Articles by Ellersieck, M. R.

The Action of Cellulose on the Intestinal Mucosa and Element Absorption by the Rat^{1, 2,}

Dennis T. Gordon^*, Cynthia Besch-Williford and Mark R. Ellersieck

^* Department of Food Science and Nutrition Department of Math Science Research Animal Diagnostic and Investigative Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211

The effect of 0, 5, 10 and 20% cellulose on the apparent absorption of P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu were measured in balance trials, and the entire intestinal tracts of the rats were examined histologically after 23 days on the test diets. Growth and food consumption were not significantly different among groups. Mg and Zn absorption were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in animals consuming 10 and 20% cellulose compared with animals ingesting 0 or 5% cellulose in their diets. No animal was in negative balance for any element. With increasing dietary cellulose levels, higher numbers of neutrophils and more mitotic activity were observed in crypt epithelial cells, especially of the duodenum and jejunum. However, the intestinal tracts of all animals were described as essentially normal. Lower Mg absorption at high cellulose levels was suggestive of decreased mucosal contact due to decreased intestinal transit time. The decrease in Zn utilization may arise from altered crypt and/or villous epithelial cell biochemical activity.

KEY WORDS: • cellulose • element absorption • phosphorus • calcium • magnesium • iron • zinc • copper • neutrophils • mitotic activity

¹ Supported in part by the Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Missouri-Columbia and an Institutional Biochemical Research Grant RR 07053 from the National Institutes of Health, awarded to D. T. G. and administered by the University of Missouri-Columbia.

² Contribution of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 9268.

Manuscript received 2 May 1983.