Original Paper: Bile Acids

Germinated Barley Foodstuff Exhibits Different Adsorption Properties for Hydrophilic versus Hydrophobic Bile Acids
Yoshio Araki^a, Akira Andoh^b, Yoshihide Fujiyama^b, Osamu Kanauchi^c, Katsuhiko Takenaka^a, Akihiko Higuchi^a, Tadao Bamba^b

Departments of
^aInternal Medicine, Nagahama Red Cross Hospital, Nagahama, and
^bInternal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga;
^cApplied Bioresearch Center, Corporate Research and Development Division, Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd., Gunma, Japan

Address of Corresponding Author

Digestion 2001;64:248-254 (DOI: 10.1159/000048869)

  Key Words

• Germinated barley foodstuff
• Dietary fiber
• Bile salts
• Adsorption

  Abstract

Background/Aims: Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), a type of dietary fiber, exhibits therapeutic effects in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for these effects are still under investigation. On the other hand, it has been suggested that bile salts in the gut lumen play an important role in the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of GBF to adsorb bile salts in vitro. Methods: The binding capacities of GBF, enzymatically digested GBF (GBF-fiber), and -cellulose for unconjugated and conjugated bile salts were measured using Langmuir's method. The morphology of these fibers was observed by light and fluorescence microscopy. Results: GBF adsorbed bile salts very strongly, especially hydrophobic bile salts. Even after enzymatic digestion, the GBF fiber still exhibited strong binding capacity, whereas -cellulose exhibited very low binding capacity. Microscopically, GBF consists mainly of aleurone, a lattice-like cell wall with cytoplasm enclosed. After enzymatic digestion, the cytoplasm was also digested. Conclusion: GBF possesses a great capacity to adsorb bile salts. This may be part of the mechanism for the therapeutic effects of GBF in UC patients.

Copyright © 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Yoshio Araki, MD
6-13-20 Aoyama
Otsu 520-2101, Shiga (Japan)
Tel./Fax +81 77 549 2161

  Article Information

Received: Received: May 3, 2001
Accepted: July 6, 2001
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 4, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 34