Trophic effects of different enteral diets in the rat intestine.

The trophic effect of 4 commercial diets compared to chow was studied in 50 rats. The 4 commercial diets were: a free amino acid diet, a diet based on soy protein hydrolysate and two diets based on intact protein with and without extra fibre added. Bowel weight, mucosa weight and DNA content were measured after 7 days of treatment. The enteral formula based on a soy protein hydrolysate had a significant growth stimulating effect on the proximal small bowel compared to rat chow. In the ileum and in the colon all diets without fibre supplementation caused significantly lower bowel weights than rat chow.