Regulation of intestinal function

To examine the effect of Kefiran on intestinal function, constipation was induced in 6-week-old male SD rats by feeding them a low-fiber diet for 21 days. Starting on day 22, Kefiran was administered for 14 days. Throughout this treatment, the rats freely ate a low-fiber diet. Before starting treatment and on days 7 and 14, naturally excreted fresh droppings were collected, and their weight and moisture content were measured.
The fecal weight and moisture content were found to significantly increase depending on the concentration of Kefiran. Gross observations made during autopsies after the end of the study showed that hardened feces had accumulated in the colons of the control group mice but not in those of the mice in the groups treated with Kefiran.

Maeda H., Zhu X. and T. Mitsuoka. 2004. “Effects of an Exopolysaccharide (Kefiran) from Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens on Blood Glucose in KKAy Mice and Constipation in SD Rats Induced by a Low-Fiber Diet”, Bioscience and Microflora, 23(4), 149-153