Oral rehydration solutions (ORS): enhancement by a soluble fiber.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that, in an animal model of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a viscous additive for the World Health Organization Oral Rehydration Solution (WHO-ORS), previously found to be effective in rats with osmotic diarrhea as an enhancer of water and sodium absorption, would also improve the performance of the WHO-ORS. This hypothesis was based on the changes in fluid and electrolyte transport that could be induced by an increase in the viscosity.

METHODS:

We evaluated CMC in young rats fed a low-protein, low-energy diet for 3 weeks to induce PEM. Control (CTL) rats were fed a nutritionally complete diet. The ORS were tested with an in vivo perfusion procedure under anesthesia.

RESULTS:

CMC addition (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/L) sharply increased the rates of net water and sodium absorption in both groups of rats, especially in the PEM animals. Net water absorption increased from (means +/- SEM) 0.75 +/- 0.06 to 2.21 +/- 0.18, 3.35 +/- 0.20 and 8.46 +/- 0.84 microL/min x cm in the PEM rats (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/L CMC, respectively). For the same CMC concentrations, sodium absorption improved from 178.8 +/- 20.3 to 402.4 +/- 18.4, 486.4 +/- 29.2 and 898.4 +/- 21.4 nmol/min x cm, respectively. CTL rats also showed marked increases. Rates of lumen-to-serosa water influx improved in both groups without major changes in water efflux. Net water and sodium absorption appeared related to the log of the ORS viscosity.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results further support the concept that increased viscosity induced by CMC enhances the effectiveness of ORS.

• Authors: J T Go, C G Sia, R G Harper, R A Wapnir
• Journal: Journal of the American College of Nutrition (J Am Coll Nutr) Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pg. 364-8 (Aug 1994) ISSN: 0731-5724 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7963142 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fiber
• Rehydration Solutions
• Sodium
• Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium

Topics

• Absorption
• Animals
• Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium (administration & dosage)
• Dietary Fiber
• Fluid Therapy
• Male
• Protein-Energy Malnutrition (therapy)
• Rats
• Rehydration Solutions (therapeutic use)
• Sodium (metabolism)
• Solubility
• Viscosity
• World Health Organization