BACKGROUND: The colon salvages energy from starch, especially when the capacity of the small intestine to digest it is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the site and relative extent of starch digestion and fermentation in infants. METHODS: Thirteen infants (10 male and 3 female infants), median age 11.8 months (range, 7.6-22.7 months), were fed a starchy breakfast containing 13C-labeled wheat flour after an overnight fast. Duplicate breath samples were obtained before breakfast and every 30 minutes for 12 hours. Breath 13CO2 enrichment was measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and results were expressed as percentage dose recovered (PDR) for each 30 minutes. The PDR data were analyzed and mathematically modeled assuming either a constant estimate of CO2 production rate or adjusted for physical activity. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD cumulative 13C PDR (cPDR) at 12 hours was 21.3% +/- 8.4% for unadjusted data and 26.5% +/- 11.6% for adjusted data. A composite model of two curves fit significantly better than a single curve. Modeling allowed estimation of cPDRs of small intestine (17.5% +/- 6.5% and 22.7% +/- 9.3% for unadjusted and adjusted data, respectively) and colon (4.6% +/- 2.9% and 6.3% +/- 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Modeling of 13CO2 enrichment curves after ingestion of 13C-enriched wheat flour is an attractive means to estimate the contribution of the upper and lower gut to starch digestion and fermentation.
BACKGROUND: The colon salvages energy from starch, especially when the capacity of the small intestine to digest it is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the site and relative extent of starch digestion and fermentation in infants. METHODS: Thirteen infants (10 male and 3 female infants), median age 11.8 months (range, 7.6-22.7 months), were fed a starchy breakfast containing 13C-labeled wheat flour after an overnight fast. Duplicate breath samples were obtained before breakfast and every 30 minutes for 12 hours. Breath 13CO2 enrichment was measured using isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and results were expressed as percentage dose recovered (PDR) for each 30 minutes. The PDR data were analyzed and mathematically modeled assuming either a constant estimate of CO2 production rate or adjusted for physical activity. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD cumulative 13C PDR (cPDR) at 12 hours was 21.3% +/- 8.4% for unadjusted data and 26.5% +/- 11.6% for adjusted data. A composite model of two curves fit significantly better than a single curve. Modeling allowed estimation of cPDRs of small intestine (17.5% +/- 6.5% and 22.7% +/- 9.3% for unadjusted and adjusted data, respectively) and colon (4.6% +/- 2.9% and 6.3% +/- 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Modeling of 13CO2 enrichment curves after ingestion of 13C-enriched wheat flour is an attractive means to estimate the contribution of the upper and lower gut to starch digestion and fermentation.
Authors: Claudia C Robayo-Torres; Antone R Opekun; Roberto Quezada-Calvillo; Xavier Villa; E O Smith; Marilyn Navarrete; Susan S Baker; Buford L Nichols Journal: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 2.839
Authors: A Stephen; M Alles; C de Graaf; M Fleith; E Hadjilucas; E Isaacs; C Maffeis; G Zeinstra; C Matthys; A Gil Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2012-04-04 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Roos Molenaar; Joost J G C van den Borne; Ewoud Hazejager; Niels B Kristensen; Marcel J W Heetkamp; Ron Meijerhof; Bas Kemp; Henry van den Brand Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-04-01 Impact factor: 3.240