Partially hydrolyzed guar gum increases intestinal absorption of iron in growing rats with iron deficiency anemia.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) dietary fiber towards intestinal iron absorption, for dietary intake and on the growth of rats with iron deficiency anemia in comparison to those fed on a diet with cellulose and without dietary fiber.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats (n=24) weaned at 21 days were fed with AIN93-G diet without iron for 2 weeks in order to induce iron deficiency anemia. At 36 days old, the anemic rats were divided into three groups: (1) PHGG group-100g of PHGG per kg of diet; (2) Cellulose group-100g of cellulose per kg of diet; (3) Control group-diet without dietary fiber. All the diets had 25mg of elemental iron/kg of diet added to lead to recovery from iron deficiency anemia.


RESULTS
The final hemoglobin values in g/dl, for the PHGG group, the cellulose group and the control group were, respectively: 11.3+/-1.2, 8.6+/-0.7 and 8.1+/-0.9 (P<0.001). The levels of hepatic iron, in mug/g of dry tissue, in the same order, were: 322.2+/-66.6, 217.2+/-59.1 and 203.7+/-42.4 (P<0.001). Apparent iron intestinal absorption was, respectively: 67.5+/-8.9%, 35.4+/-15.3% and 31.3+/-24.9% (P<0.001). The three groups consumed similar quantities of diet. The changes in weight and in body length were similar in the three groups studied.


CONCLUSIONS
PHGG led to greater intestinal absorption of iron, regeneration of hemoglobin and hepatic levels of iron than diet with cellulose and diet control.
de Cássia Freitas
Karine
K
Pediatric Gastroenterology Department, Paulista School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM), Federal University of Sao Paulo, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 441, Sao Paulo-SP, CEP 04039-031, Brazil.
Amancio
Olga Maria Silvério
OM
Ferreira Novo
Neil
N
Fagundes-Neto
Ulysses
U
de Morais
Mauro Batista
MB