Green banana and pectin improve small intestinal permeability and reduce fluid loss in Bangladeshi children with persistent diarrhea.
To evaluate the effects of green banana and pectin (nondigestible, dietary sources of colonic shortchain fatty acids [SCFA]) on intestinal permeability, 57 boys (5-12 months) with persistent diarrhea (> or = 14 days) were given a week's treatment with a rice-based diet containing either cooked green banana (n = 19), pectin (n = 17), or rice diet alone (n = 21). Intestinal permeability was assessed before and after treatment by giving a lactulose-mannitol (LM) drink and measuring urinary recovery after 5 hr. Treatment with banana significantly (P < 0.05) reduced lactulose recovery, increased mannitol recovery, and decreased the LM ratio, indicating improvement of permeability. Pectin produced similar results. Permeability changes were associated with a 50% reduction in stool weights which correlated strongly (green banana, r2 = 0.84, pectin, r2 = 0.86) with the LM ratio. Green banana-derived and SCFA-mediated stimulation of colonic as well as small bowel absorption is responsible for their antidiarrheal effects. The antidiarrheal effects of green banana and pectin are mediated by improvement of small intestinal permeability in addition to their known colonotrophic effects.
Rabbani
G H
GH
Physiology Laboratory, Clinical Sciences Division, Clinical Service and Research Centre, ICDDR, B: Centre Health and Population Research, Bangladesh, GPO Box 128, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh. rabbani@icddrb.org
Teka
Telahun
T
Saha
Shyamal Kumar
SK
Zaman
Badiuz
B
Majid
Naseha
N
Khatun
Makhduma
M
Wahed
Mohammad A
MA
Fuchs
George J
GJ
D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001459:Bangladesh; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007792:Lactulose / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000652:urine; D028521:Musa; D012275:Oryza; D010368:Pectins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010539:Permeability
D000930:Antidiarrheals; D008353:Mannitol; D007792:Lactulose; D010368:Pectins