Guar gum reduces trichloroethylene accumulation in the body by reducing TCE absorption and fat tissue mass.

Two studies were conducted regarding the effects of guar gum on accumulation and metabolism of trichloroethylene (TCE). In study 1, 6- and 14-weeks-old rats were given a single oral dose of 100 mg of trichloroethylene (TCE). Ten hours after administration of TCE, a marked positive correlation was noted between relative fat tissue weights and TCE distribution in fat tissues. Therefore, a small mass of fat tissue apparently limited TCE accumulation. In study 2, each of four groups of rats was fed one of four diets: cellulose-soybean oil, cellulose-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), guar gum-soybean oil, or guar gum-DHA for 3 weeks and then all were given TCE as in study 1. The rate of decrease of TCE distributed in fat tissues of groups fed guar gum compared with corresponding groups fed cellulose was greater than the rate of decrease in relative weight of these tissues. TCE absorption by groups fed guar gum decreased 12% compared with TCE absorption of corresponding groups fed cellulose. Therefore, guar gum decreased TCE accumulation in the body by reducing TCE absorption and fat tissue mass.