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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #187616
Title: EFFECTS OF LEVEL OF DIETARY SORGHUM PROCYANIDINS ON EARLY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RATS

Author
item GU, LIWEI - ACNC/UAMS
item HOUSE, SUZANNE - ACNC
item Prior, Ronald

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/6/2006
Publication Date: 3/27/2006
Citation: Gu, L., House, S., Prior, R.L. 2006. Effects of level of dietary sorghum procyanidins on early growth and development of rats [abstract]. The FASEB Journal. 20(4):A154.

Interpretive Summary: Procyanidins, which are large compounds found in sorghum and other fruits, vegetables, and chocolate, have been shown to have beneficial effects on biomarkers of human health, yet high intakes of procyanidins may adversely affect protein absorption and growth in some animal species. Physiological effects of procyanidins are dependent on the amount consumed, and it is critical to identify the optimum level of procyanidins in diet at which adverse effects on growth and development does not occur and the health benefits are maximized. Sorghum bran at 2.5-5% in the diet (0.6-1.2 mg procyanidins/g) in the rat animal model appears to be an appropriate dose for studying health effects of sorghum procyanidins. Sorghum is used as an infant cereal in many developing countries, and means of using sorghum in foods in this country are being studied. Studies of the optimum dietary levels are critical to understanding mechanisms of potential health effects.

Technical Abstract: Procyanidins have been shown to have beneficial effects on biomarkers of human health, yet high intakes of procyanidins may adversely affect protein absorption and growth in some animal species. Physiological effects of procyanidins are dose dependent. It is crucial to identify the optimum level of procyanidins in diet at which adverse effects on growth does not occur and the health benefits are maximized. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN93G diet formulated to contain 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40% sorghum bran (SB) (n=5 for each group). All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Diets were fed to pregnant dams beginning on gestation day 3 and continued throughout gestation and lactation. Offspring were weaned at PND21 to the same diet fed to their mothers and fed until PND34 or PND 65 at which times subsets were sacrificed. The estimated intake of procyanidins was 0, 58, 116, 232, 465, 930 mg/kg BW/day for pups at PND28-31. Final weight was decreased in a dose-dependent manner at PND34 but not at PND65. Small intestine and colon lengths and weights (% body weight) were increased with 40% SB at PND 34 & 65. Liver weight (%BW) was decreased and heart weight (%BW) increased in a dose-dependent manner with increasing SB at both PND34 & 65. Abdominal fat (%BW) was decreased with 2.5% SB relative to 0%. Feed intake of the 0-20% SB groups showed little difference, nor was the length of small intestine, energy expenditure, and other organ weights. Sorghum bran at 2.5-5% in the diet (0.6-1.2 mg procyanidins/g) appears to be an appropriate dose for studying health effects of sorghum procyanidins.