Eusorbents and eusorption: a review of physiological events to therapeutic concepts.

Eusorbents are considered the exogenous substances that facilitate and enhance intestinal absorption. Eusorption is the process by which eusorbents affect the mechanisms of intestinal absorption. These 2 concepts should be distinguished from the well-known probiotics and prebiotics that may also play a role in benefiting the host.

Modulation of rat intestinal nuclear factor NF-kappaB by gum arabic.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that in an animal model of cathartic-induce intestinal dysfunction the proabsorptive effects of gum arabic (GA) could be associated with modulation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and with reduction of the inflammatory response caused by cathartics, as evidenced by intestinal mucosa cytokine production and gene expression. Juvenile male rats were given a phenolphthalein-magnesium citrate solution for 6 days, by itself or supplemented with either 10 or 20 g L(-1) GA, as a sole source of fluid. The controls given were tap water alone or with added 20 g L(-1) GA.

Enhancement of absorption by gum arabic in a model of gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Objective: Diarrhea is a common and deadly threat to millions of infants and children. Similarly, malabsorption can aggravate the health status of the chronically sick and especially the elderly. Prompt recovery from intestinal dysfunction may have a substantial impact on many populations.

Meconium mineral content in small for gestational age neonates.

The mineral concentration of meconia of small for gestational age (SGA) newborns were compared with those of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns of similar gestational ages (GA) to determine whether differences may provide clues of possible nutritional deficits of SGA infants, given that levels of meconium minerals could indicate the use of minerals by the fetus and the sufficiency of the maternal supply of minerals. Twenty-one SGA and 24 AGA newborns were included. Eleven SGA and 15 AGA were < or = 35 weeks GA.