Plasma enteroglucagon and small bowel cytokinetics in rats fed soluble nonstarch polysaccharides

The influence of dietary fiber on plasma glucagon and enteroglucagon (EG) and on ileal crypt cell production rate (CCPR) was assessed in the rat. A fiber-free semisynthetic diet and diets containing insoluble cellulose, Na-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), guar gum, pectin, gum arabic, methylcellulose (MC), and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) at 10 g/100 g were fed for 14 d. Animals given soluble polysaccharides had plasma EG levels significantly higher than animals given insoluble cellulose, but only those fed the most viscous gums showed evidence of increased mucosal cell proliferation in the distal ileum. It was concluded that viscous nonfermentable polysaccharide gums stimulate the release of EG in the rat by slowing the absorption of nutrient, whereas the nonviscous polysaccharide gum arabic, or its breakdown products, probably directly stimulate mucosal endocrine cells. The failure of gum arabic to stimulate CCPR despite increased plasma EG indicated that EG alone is not a sufficient stimulus for increased mucosal cell proliferation.