Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Soluble Fiber Pectin on Growth and Intestinal Iron Absorption in Rats During Recovery from Iron Deficiency Anemia

  • Review
  • Published:
Biological Trace Element Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The objective of this study was to verify whether soluble fiber pectin interferes in growth and intestinal iron absorption in rats during iron deficiency anemia recovery. Twenty-one-day-old Wistar rats (n = 48) were fed for 2 weeks on a diet without iron in order to induce iron deficiency anemia. The anemic animals (age = 36 days) were divided into two groups: (1) pectin, 50 g of pectin per kilogram of diet, and (2) control, diet without dietary fiber. Iron was added to the diets for the two groups in order to reverse the anemia. During the iron deficiency anemia recovery phase (3 weeks), the pectin group showed lower mean values (p < 0.05) of weekly food intake (89.18 ± 10.82; 107.60 ± 11.70; 114.50 ± 16.29 g, respectively, for the pectin group and 99.56 ± 10.60; 116.36 ± 15.33; 125.66 ± 17.25 g, respectively, for the control group). The body weight of the pectin group was lower (p < 0.05) during the study’s second and third weeks (192.42 ± 16.67 and 228.75 ± 19.81 g, respectively, and 202.87 ± 19.96 and 243.51 ± 20.44 g for the control group). Pectin led to a reduction in food intake and growth but not to iron absorption when taking into account the regeneration of hemoglobin mass.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C.L. Williams, Importance of dietary fiber in childhood, J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 95(10), 1140–1146 (1995).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D.S. Gray, The clinical uses of dietary fiber, Am. Fam. Physician. 51(2), 419–425 (1995).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. C.L. Williams, M. Bollella and E.L. Wynder, A new recommendation for dietary fiber in childhood, Pediatrics. 96(5), 985–988 (1995).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. J.A. Marlett, M.I. McBurney and J.L. Slavin, Position of the American Diet Association: Health implications of dietary fiber. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 102(7), 993–1000 (2002).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. P. Trumbo, S. Schlicker, A.A. Yates and M. Poos, Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein and amino acids. J. Am. Diet. Assoc. 102(11), 1621–1630 (2002).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. J.T. Dwyer, Dietary fiber for children: How much? Pediatrics. 96, 1019–1022 (1995).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. P.J. Aggett, C. Agostoni, I. Axelsson, C.A. Edwards, O. Goulet, O. Hernell, B. Koletzko, H.N. Lafeber, J.L. Micheli, K.F. Michaelsen, J. Rigo, H. Szajewska and L.T. Weaver, Nondigestible carbohydrates in the diets of infants and young children: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 36, 329–337 (2003).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. P.J. Aggett, C. Agostoni, I. Axelsson, J.L. Bresson, O. Goulet, O. Hernell, B. Koletzko, H.N. Lafeber, K.F. Michaelsen, J.L. Micheli, J. Rigo, H. Szajewska and L.T. Weaver, Iron metabolism and requirements in early childhood: do we know enough?: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. 34, 337–345 (2002).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. K.M. Simpson, E.R. Morris, J.D. Cook, The inhibitory effect of bran on iron absorption in man. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 34, 1469–1478 (1981).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Y. Wang, M.A. Funk, K.A. Garleb and N. Chevreau, The effect of fiber source in enteral products on fecal weight, mineral balance, and growth rate in rats. J. Parenter. Enteral Nutr. 18, 340–345 (1994).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. M.A. Gralak, M. Leontowicz, M. Morawiec, E. Bartnikowska and G.W. Kulasek, Comparison of the influence of dietary fibre sources with different proportions of soluble and insoluble fibre on Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu apparent absorption in rats. Arch. Tierernahr. 49, 293–299 (1996).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. D. Bosscher, M.V. Caillie-Bertrand and H. Deelstra, Effect of thickening agents, based on soluble dietary fiber, on the availability of calcium, iron and zinc from infants formulas. Nutrition. 17, 614–618 (2001).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. D. Bosscher, M.V. Caillie-Bertrand, R.U. Cauwenbergh and H. Deelstra, Availabilities of calcium, iron, and zinc from dairy infant formulas is affected by soluble dietary fibers and modified starch fractions. Nutrition. 19, 641–645 (2003).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. A.L. Forbes, C.E. Adams, M.J. Arnaud, C.O. Chichester, J.D. Cook, B.N. Harrison, R.F. Hurrel, S.G. Kahn, E.R. Morris, J.T. Tanner and P. Whittaker, Comparison in vitro, animal, and clinical determinations of iron bioavailability: International Nutritional Anemia Consultative Group Task Force report on iron bioavailability. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 49, 225–238 (1989).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. C. Rolin and J. De Vries. Pectin, in Food gels, P. Harris, ed., Elsevier Science Publishers, New York, pp.401–434 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  16. J.W. Anderson, Fiber and health: An overview. Am. J. Gastroenterol. 81(10), 892–897 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. S. Reiser, Metabolic effects of dietary pectins related to human health. Food Technol. 41, 91–99 (1987).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. M. Catani, O.M.S. Amâncio, U. Fagundes-Neto and M.B. Morais, Dietary cellulose has no effect on the regeneration of hemoglobin in growing rats with iron deficiency anemia. Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 36(6), 693–697 (2003).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. K.C. Freitas, O.M.S. Amancio, N.F. Novo, U. Fagundes-Neto and M.B. Morais, Partially hydrolyzed guar gum increases intestinal absorption of iron in growing rats with iron deficiency anemia. Clin. Nutr. 25(5), 851–858 (2006).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. M.B. Morais, M. Catani, O.M.S. Amancio and U. Fagundes-Neto, Wheat bran has no negative effect on the regeneration of hemoglobin and weight gain in growing rats with iron deficiency anemia, in Pediatric Gastroenterology: Reports from the 2nd World Congress of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, 1st ed, Medimond, Bologna, pp.153–156 (2004).

    Google Scholar 

  21. P.C.R. Hugues and J.M. Tanner, A longitudinal study of the growth of the black-hooded rat: Methods of measurement and rates of growth for skull, limbs, pelvis, nose-rump and tail lengths. J. Anat. 106, 349–370 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  22. P.G. Reeves, F.H. Nielsen and G.C. Fahey, AIN-93 purified diets for laboratory rodents: Final report of the American Institute of Nutrition Ad Hoc writing Committee on the reformulation of the AIN-76A rodent diet. J. Nutr. 123(11), 1939–1951 (1993).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. M.J. Borel, S.H. Smith, D.E. Brigham and J.L. Beard, The impact of varying degrees of iron nutriture on several functional consequences of iron deficiency in rats. J. Nutr. 121, 729–736 (1991).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. M.M. Wintrobe, D.L. Mollin, V. Herbert, B. Blanc, C. Finch, L. Halberg, et al, Anemias nutricionales. Org. Mund. Salud. Ser. Inf. Técn. 405, 5–39 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  25. G.E. Marks, C.E. Moore, E.L. Kanabrocki, Y.T. Oester and E. Kaplan, Determination of trace elements in human tissue. I. Cd, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca. Appl. Spectrosc. 26, 523–527 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. S.A.V. Fernandez, U. Tannuri, G. Domingues, D.Y. Uehara and F.R. Carrazza, Efeitos de dietas ricas em fibras sobre ratos em crescimento: estudo experimental. Pediatria (São Paulo). 24(1/2), 32–37 (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  27. N. Shah, M.T. Atallah, R.R. Mahoney and P.L. Pellett, Effect of dietary fiber components on fecal nitrogen excretion and protein utilization in growing rats. J. Nutr. 112, 658–666 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Kim and M.T. Atallah, Structure of dietary pectin, iron bioavailability and hemoglobin repletion in anemic rats. J. Nutr. 122, 2298–2305 (1992).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. N. Shah, R.R. Mahoney and P.L. Pellett, Effect of guar gum, lignin and pectin on proteolytic enzyme levels in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat: a time-based study. J. Nutr. 116, 786–794 (1986).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. M. Kim, M.T. Atallah, C. Amarasiriwardena and R. Barnes, Pectin with low molecular weight and high degree of esterification increases absorption of 58Fe in growing rats. J. Nutr. 126, 1883–1890 (1996).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. M.T. Atallah and T.A. Melnik, Effect of pectin structure on protein utilization by growing rats. J. Nutr. 112, 2027–2032 (1982).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This study had the financial support of the State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Gastroenterology Division, Nutrition Program of the Federal University of São Paulo—Paulista School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM), Rua Pedro de Toledo, 441, 04039-031, São Paulo, Brazil

    Carolina Feltrin, Mauro Batista de Morais & Karine de Cássia Freitas

  2. Food Quality Control Laboratory and Nutrition Program of the Federal University of São Paulo—Paulista School of Medicine (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil

    Tânia Beninga de Morais

  3. Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, UNIFESP-EPM, São Paulo, Brazil

    Ulysses Fagundes Neto

  4. Discipline of Pediatric Nutrology, UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, Brazil

    Olga Maria Silvério Amancio

Authors
  1. Carolina Feltrin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mauro Batista de Morais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Karine de Cássia Freitas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tânia Beninga de Morais
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ulysses Fagundes Neto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Olga Maria Silvério Amancio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mauro Batista de Morais.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feltrin, C., Batista de Morais, M., de Cássia Freitas, K. et al. Effect of Soluble Fiber Pectin on Growth and Intestinal Iron Absorption in Rats During Recovery from Iron Deficiency Anemia. Biol Trace Elem Res 129, 221–228 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8307-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-008-8307-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation