Effects of defined formula diets with and without fibre on ultratrace mineral serum levels in rats.
34 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided to receive one of 3 diets; a standard diet, a defined formula diet (DFD) or DFD plus fibre, which were administered through a catheter using a pump infusion system. Serum levels of selenium, molybdenum, and chromium were measured before and after 4 weeks of the respective diets. Rats fed the standard diet adequately maintained serum levels of the 3 minerals, but in those fed DFD the levels were reduced. Selenium levels declined by 14.5% in rats fed DFD and by 23.4% in rats fed DFD plus fibre. Molybdenum levels decreased by 23.6% and 22.8% in rats fed DFD with and without fibre, respectively. Chromium levels decreased by 45.5% in rats fed DFD and by 67.7% in rats fed DFD plus fibre. These results corroborate previous evidence that prolonged enteral or parenteral feeding may deplete ultratrace minerals and suggest that addition of ultratrace minerals to DFD may be beneficial.
Seri
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Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Institute of Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
D'Alessandro
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A