Tomohiko Nakamura

Effects of germinated barley foodstuff on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats

Abstract: Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), derived from the aleurone and scutellum fractions of germinated barley, is rich in glutamine and low-lignified hemicellulose, and increases mucosal protein, RNA, and DNA content in the intestine when fed to normal rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding GBF or germinated gramineous seeds on experimental ulcerative colitis. Sprague-Dawley rats that received 3% dextran sulfate sodium in their diets were used as an experimental colitis model. The effects of sulfasalazine, a drug used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, were compared with those of GBF. After rats had consumed diets containing GBF or various aleurone and scutellum fractions, mucosal damage; the content of mucosal protein, RNA, and DNA in the colo-rectum; and serum interleukin-8 and α1-acid glycoprotein levels were assessed. GBF and germinated seeds more effectively prevented bloody diarrhea and mucosal damage in colitis compared with controls and rats receiving sulfasalazine, but non-germinated samples did not have a protective effect. GBF increased mucosal protein and RNA content in the colitis model. The consumption of GBF appears to prevent inflammation in a colitis model, and its effect seems to be related to the germination process. GBF and germinated seeds have the potential to serve as nutritional therapy for ulcerative colitis.

Dietary fiber fraction of germinated barley foodstuff attenuated mucosal damage and diarrhea, and accelerated the repair of the colonic mucosa in an experimental colitis

Background and Aims: Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) contains protein and insoluble dietary fiber. We have previously shown in ulcerative colitis patients and a colitis model that GBF feeding attenuates mucosal damage by increasing luminal butyrate levels. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear because of its heterogeneous nature. The present study was carried out to: (i) evaluate the active ingredient in GBF; and (ii) examine its effect on the repair process in colonic inflammation by using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis model.