P33 ENTERAL NUTRITION IN ELEMENTAL DIET FED INFANT RATS. T.Takami, I.Ohara, N.Suzuki, H.Ohashi, F.Saito, T.Hattori and Y.Yugari.Lm- tories, Aj' inomo 0 o., nc., Yokohama, Japan.

Beneficial effects of elemental diet (ED) habe been widely recognized to support the nutritional state of patients of various clinical disorders. ED of general purpose, ElentalTM was very effective mainly for the gastro- enteric patients whose intestine has limited absorptive capaci specific ED for pediatric use (ED-P), different from Elentral Tl!?;az;$?

ted. The aim of the present study was to prove the effectiveness of this formula by using animal models. Surgical gastrostomy was performed in ten- day-old rats. Using constant infusion techniques the animals were artifi- tally reared for 8 days. ED-P and ElentalTM were compared on body weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and serum levels of total protein(TP) and albumin (Alb). Results showed that body weight gain in lo-day-old rats, fed ED-P for 8 days (6.85 + 0.67 g) was significantly better than Elen- talTM (2.56 + 1.64 g) and also showed that

TR ER of ED-P reaches 3.72 + 0.33

and it is much higher than that of Elental which gives 2.15 + 0.33. Furthermore, serum levels of TP and Alb were'higher b ED-P (TP: 3.65 + 0.08 mg/dl, Alb: 1.66 + 0.04 mg/dl) than by Elental Tl? (TP: 2.68 k 0.15; Alb. 1.16 + 0.08). These findings suggest that nutritional value of amino acids pattern of this formula meets to support growth in infant rats.

P34 EFFECTS OF MEAL VISCOSITY (GUAR GUM) ON GASTRIC EMPTYING RATE, DUMPING SYNDROME AND NUTRITONAL STATUS IN POSTGASTRECTOMY PATIENTS: E.Harju. Department of Surgery, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. -Ina randomized, double blind, controlled trial using a radio- isotope (Tc-99m DTPA) technique, the gastric emptying following a normal semisolid meal containing 5 g guar gum or placebo were measured in 11 patients who had undergone gastric resection and had dumping syndrome. The results show that guar gum slowed gas- tric emptying in 8 of the 11 patients. In an other randomized, double blind, controlled trial the same 11 patients added 5 g guar gum or placebo to their meals during one week. The dumping symptoms were prevented and previously intolerated food was eaten without side-effects during the guar gum week in 9 of the 11 patients. In a third randomized, double blind, controlled trial the nutritional status of 8 postgastrectomy patients adding 5 g guar gum, placebo or without supplementation was followed three months postoperatively. The developments of anthropometric status (weight, skinfolds and arm-muscle circumference), nitrogen and mineral balance (estimated from serum and 24-hours urine collec- tion) showed no group differences. Guar gum was well tolerated.

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