The significance of cortisol on acclimation to salinity in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis / Importância do cortisol na aclimatação a salinidade em peixe-rei Odontesthes bonariensis

The role of cortisol on the osmoregulation of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis at different salinities was investigated in adult fish injected with 0.7mg hydrocortisone per 100g body weight of fish, and transferred to 0, 5 and 20ppt of NaCl. Blood cortisol was 566ng/ml at the beginning of the experiment (0h) but surged to 1250ng/ml within 3h in cortisol-injected fish. Cortisol levels were influenced not only by treatment but also by time, being higher at 3h compared to 24h. Salinity level, time of exposure and their interaction, but not cortisol treatment, significantly affected plasma osmolality and the concentration of ions Cl- and Na+. This study showed that exogenous cortisol does not seem to play a significant role on the regulation of plasma osmolality and concentration of individual ions in pejerrey(AU)

Investigou-se a participação do cortisol na osmoregulação de peixe-rei Odontesthes bonariensis, em diferentes salinidades, em peixes adultos injetados com 0,7mg hidrocortisona por 100g de peso corporal, e transferidos para 0, 5 e 20ppt de NaCl. No inicio do experimento (0h), o cortisol encontrado no plasma foi de 566ng/ml, aumentando para 1250ng/ml em 3h em peixes injetados com cortisol. A concentração de cortisol foi influenciada não somente pelo tratamento, mas também pelo tempo, sendo maior 3h após a inoculação, comparada à 24h. A salinidade, o tempo de exposição e a interação desses dois fatores, mas não o tratamento com o cortisol, afetaram significativamente a osmolaridade e a concentração dos íons Cl- e Na+ do plasma. Este estudo mostrou que, o cortisol exógeno não influi significativamente na regulação da osmolaridade e da concentração de íons Na+ e Cl- no plasma em peixe-rei(AU)

The significance of cortisol on acclimation to salinity in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis

The role of cortisol on the osmoregulation of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis at different salinities was investigated in adult fish injected with 0.7mg hydrocortisone per 100g body weight of fish, and transferred to 0, 5 and 20ppt of NaCl. Blood cortisol was 566ng/ml at the beginning of the experiment (0h) but surged to 1250ng/ml within 3h in cortisol-injected fish. Cortisol levels were influenced not only by treatment but also by time, being higher at 3h compared to 24h. Salinity level, time of exposure and their interaction, but not cortisol treatment, significantly affected plasma osmolality and the concentration of ions Cl- and Na+. This study showed that exogenous cortisol does not seem to play a significant role on the regulation of plasma osmolality and concentration of individual ions in pejerrey

Investigou-se a participação do cortisol na osmoregulação de peixe-rei Odontesthes bonariensis, em diferentes salinidades, em peixes adultos injetados com 0,7mg hidrocortisona por 100g de peso corporal, e transferidos para 0, 5 e 20ppt de NaCl. No inicio do experimento (0h), o cortisol encontrado no plasma foi de 566ng/ml, aumentando para 1250ng/ml em 3h em peixes injetados com cortisol. A concentração de cortisol foi influenciada não somente pelo tratamento, mas também pelo tempo, sendo maior 3h após a inoculação, comparada à 24h. A salinidade, o tempo de exposição e a interação desses dois fatores, mas não o tratamento com o cortisol, afetaram significativamente a osmolaridade e a concentração dos íons Cl- e Na+ do plasma. Este estudo mostrou que, o cortisol exógeno não influi significativamente na regulação da osmolaridade e da concentração de íons Na+ e Cl- no plasma em peixe-rei

The significance of cortisol on acclimation to salinity in pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis

The role of cortisol on the osmoregulation of pejerrey Odontesthes bonariensis at different salinities was investigated in adult fish injected with 0.7mg hydrocortisone per 100g body weight of fish, and transferred to 0, 5 and 20ppt of NaCl. Blood cortisol was 566ng/ml at the beginning of the experiment (0h) but surged to 1250ng/ml within 3h in cortisol-injected fish. Cortisol levels were influenced not only by treatment but also by time, being higher at 3h compared to 24h. Salinity level, time of exposure and their interaction, but not cortisol treatment, significantly affected plasma osmolality and the concentration of ions Cl- and Na+. This study showed that exogenous cortisol does not seem to play a significant role on the regulation of plasma osmolality and concentration of individual ions in pejerrey.

Investigou-se a participação do cortisol na osmoregulação de peixe-rei Odontesthes bonariensis, em diferentes salinidades, em peixes adultos injetados com 0,7mg hidrocortisona por 100g de peso corporal, e transferidos para 0, 5 e 20ppt de NaCl. No inicio do experimento (0h), o cortisol encontrado no plasma foi de 566ng/ml, aumentando para 1250ng/ml em 3h em peixes injetados com cortisol. A concentração de cortisol foi influenciada não somente pelo tratamento, mas também pelo tempo, sendo maior 3h após a inoculação, comparada à 24h. A salinidade, o tempo de exposição e a interação desses dois fatores, mas não o tratamento com o cortisol, afetaram significativamente a osmolaridade e a concentração dos íons Cl- e Na+ do plasma. Este estudo mostrou que, o cortisol exógeno não influi significativamente na regulação da osmolaridade e da concentração de íons Na+ e Cl- no plasma em peixe-rei.

Ultrastructure of the myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers of the tongue mucosa of albinus rat (Wistar) with aging / Ultraestructura de las Fibras Nerviosas Mielínicas y Amielínicas de la Mucosa Lingual de ratas Albinas (Wistar) Envejecidas

El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar las fibras sensitivas mielinizadas y amielínicas localizadas en la lámina propia subepitelial de la mucosa lingual de ratas. Se usó el método de impregnación argéntica, microscopía MET y mediciones morfométricas. Los resultados revelaron que los fascículos de fibras subepiteliales de las regiones anterior, media y posterior de la lengua provenían de su capa muscular profunda. Los grupos de fibras fueron localizados dentro del tejido conectivo de la lámina propia. Estas fibras nerviosas se ramificaron varias veces y en el tejido conectivo de las papilas formaron terminaciones simples o ramificados. Las papilas fungiformes y valadas contenían numerosas terminaciones nerviosas. La ultraestructura demostró en el axoplasma la presencia de neurofilamentos, mitocondrias y microtúbulos; aunque los registros morfométricos de las fibras mielinizadas mostraron que alrededor del 44 por ciento tenían un diámetro entre 3 y 4 µm, el valor promedio fue de 4.5 µm. El diámetro mayor fue de 12 µm y el menor de 1.4 um. Los rangos de menores diámetros fueron de 1 a 3 µm, siendo el promedio de 2.33 µm. En relación al espesor de las vainas de mielina, los valores obtenidos fueron de 0.2 a 0.8 um siendo el valor promedio de alrededor de 0,5 µm, en el 90 por ciento de ellas. En las fibras amielínicas los mayores diámetros (62 por ciento) variaron entre 0.25 y 0.75 µm. El valor promedio fue de 0.6 µm, siendo el valor máximo 3.17 µm y el mínimo 0.2 µm. El menor diámetro fue obtenido en 44 por ciento de las fibras amielínicas y los rangos variaron entre 0.2 y 0.4 µm. El valor máximo obtenido fue de 1 µm y el mínimo 0.12 µm.

The purpose of this paper was to study the sensory myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers found in the subepithelial lamina propria of tongue mucosa of aging rats. It was used the silver impregnation, transmission electron microscopy methods and morphometric measurements. The results revealed that subepithelial nerve fiber bundles of the anterior, medium and posterior regions of tongue were arise from deep muscular layer of tongue. The nerve fiber bundles were verified inside of the connective tissue of lamina propria. These nerve fibers branched several times and into the connective tissue papillae they form a single or ramified sensory nerve endings. The fungiform and vallate papillae contain numerous nerve terminals. The fine structure demonstrated that in the axoplasm were noted the presence of neurofilaments, mitochondria and microtubules. Although the morphometric data of myelinated fibers showed that about 44% having larger diameter between 3 to 4 µm and the mean value was 4.5 µm. The largest diameter was 12 µm and the smaller was 1.4 um. The smallest diameter ranges from 1 to 3 µm, being that the mean value was 2.33 µm. Concerning to the thickness of myelin sheets were revealed the values ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 µm being that the 90% present the values around 0.5 µm. The unmyelinated fibers showed the largest diameter (62%) varying from 0.25 to 0.75 µm. The mean value was 0.6 µm being the maximum value was 3.17 µm and the minimum was 0.2 µm. The smallest diameter was obtained in 44% of unmyelinated fibers which the diameter ranges from 0.2 to 0.4 µm.Then maximum value obtained was 1 µm and the minimum was 0.12 µm.

Three-dimensional images of the mouse submandibular gland: an HRSEM study.

The three-dimensional characteristics of the intracellular components of acinar cells were revealed using the osmium-DMSO-osmium method. The specimens were macerated in diluted osmium after being fractured in DMSO solution. The stacks of the Golgi apparatus, the rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria are clearly seen. The lamellae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, located around the nuclei and the Golgi apparatus, are shown in three-dimensional images. At high magnification, the mitochondria clearly reveal their cristae mitochondriales.

Fecal lactate and short bowel syndrome.

In patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), the carbohydrate overload to the colon may disturb the normal pattern of colonic fermentation with production of D-lactic acid and subsequent development of a metabolic D-lactic acidosis. We measured D-lactic acid in blood, urine, and feces, as well as the composition of fecal water and fecal reducing substances from 11 patients with SBS, comparing the results with those from normal subjects. The fecal water from patients with SBS was characterized by low pH, potassium, and volatile fatty acids, high osmotic gap, and high concentration of L- and D-lactic acid. Five of 11 had abnormal amounts of fecal reducing substances. Fecal D-lactic acid was increased in nine of 11 patients. However, none of these patients showed D-lactic acid in urine, and only one had a very low concentration in plasma. These results show that D-lactic acid was overproduced in the colon of most of the patients with SBS. However, other factors such as absorption or impaired D-lactic acid metabolism may be necessary for a plasmatic increase of D-lactic acid.

Gastric and small intestinal lesions after partial stomach resection with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction in the rat.

The evolution and phenotypic expression of mucosal lesions of the gastric stump were investigated in male rats submitted to gastric resection with reconstruction by the Billroth II technique (BII with biliopancreatic reflux, BPR) or by the Roux-en-Y procedure (without BPR). Animals were studied at 24, 36, 54 and 64 weeks after surgery and the phenotypic expression of lesions analysed using routine hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining for pepsinogen isoenzyme 1 and histochemical procedures for mucins (paradoxical concanavalin A, galactose oxidase Schiff (GOS) and sialidase GOS reactions). BPR was found to be responsible for the formation of adenomatous hyperplasia (AH), increasing in incidence and size with time, since the Roux-en-Y procedure failed to induce the gastric stump lesions observed after BII reconstruction. AHs always occurred in the transition of the gastrojejunal junction, a site offering special conditions for BPR influence, and were classified as gastric (G), intestinal (I) and G+I types according to their phenotypic expression. No pure I type AH was diagnosed at any time point. The G and G+I types developed at approximately equal incidences (i.e., G type 7/17, G+I type 10/17 at the 64th week). It was suggested that both gastric and intestinal mucosal elements were stimulated to proliferate by BPR, with the gastric mucosa tending to demonstrate AH. Intestinal type components of AH were found adjacent to the jejunum and not at the stomach margin, indicating an origin from intestinal mucosa. No metaplasia of the gastric mucosa was observed in any animal after partial gastric resection. In 101 rats submitted to the BII procedure, 5 mucinous adenocarcinomas were eventually diagnosed, mostly located in the subserosa of the gastrojejunal junction. All carcinomas expressed the phenotype of cells of the small intestine. Evidence of malignant transformation within the gastric components of AH was not observed even at the 64th week. In conclusion, all lesions induced by BPR in the rat remnant stomach are benign, and the few true cancers that arise in association are derived from the small intestine.

Scanning electron microscopy of acinar cells of rat submandibular salivary glands.

1. The submandibular salivary gland of rats was observed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy employing the aldehyde-osmium-DMSO-osmium method. 2. The intracellular membranous components and sponge-like structures of basement membrane containing the fine collagen fibrils of acinar cells were clearly identified in three-dimensional images. The granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus showed the luminal surface. The mitochondria were small, ranging in diameter from 0.3 to 0.5 microns, and revealed their cristae. The secretory granules ranged in diameter from 0.3 to 1.4 microns. Ribosome granules were attached to the surfaces of cisterns, and measured 20 to 25 nm in diameter. 3. The contact areas between the acinar cells revealed numerous cytoplasmic protrusions. In the striated duct cells, the mitochondria were arranged vertically and surrounded by basal infoldings of the plasma membranes. At high magnification, the mitochondrial cristae were visualized in their three-dimensional characteristics.

Scanning electron microscopy of acinar cells of rat submandibular salivary glands

1. The submandibular salivary gland of rats was observed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy employing the aldehyde-osmium-DMSO-osmium method. 2. The intracellular membranous components and sponge-like structures of basement membrane containing the fine collagen fibrils of acinar cells were clearly identified in three dimensional images. The granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus showed the luminal surface. The mitochondria were small, ranging in diameter from 0.3 to 0.5 µm, and revealed their cristae. The secretory granules ranged in diameter from 0.3 to 1.4 µm. ribosome granules were attached to the surfaces of cisterns, and measured 20 to 25 nm in diameter. 3. The contact areas between the acinar cells revealed numerous cytoplasmic protrusions. In the striated duct cells, the mitochondria were arranged vertically and surrounded by nasal infoldings of the plasma membranes. At high magnification, the mitochondrial cristae were visualized in their three-dimensional characteristics

Colonic proteolysis following pancreatic duct ligation in the rat.

Luminal proteolytic activity (PA) of different colonic segments was ascertained in animals subjected to pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) and in control rats. The PDL rats revealed a significant PA reduction in the cecum, proximal colon (P < 0.01), and distal colon (P < 0.005). Proteolytic activity, trypsin, and chymotrypsin activity in control rats diminished progressively from the cecum to the distal colon. Conversely in PDL rats, we found maximal PA in distal colon. The conclusion is drawn that a significant proportion of colonic proteolytic activity can be attributed to pancreatic proteases with a maximal contribution at cecum level.

Ultrastructure of the Merkel corpuscles of the lower lip mucosa inferior del mono cebus apella

Se estudió la ultraestructura de los corpúsculos de Merkel en la mucosa del labio inferior del labio de los monos Cebus apella. Las células de Merkel se localizan en la base de la red epitelial adyacente e intimamente asociada con una o dos terminaciones nerviosas intra-epiteliales. Las células de Merkel poseen un núcleo dentado, caracterizado por la concentración de numerosos gránulos denso-teñidos con un rango que varía de 30 a 80 nm de diámetro. Las protrusiones citoplasmáticas de las células de Merkel se extienden en los espacios intercelulares, conteniendo microfilamentos paralelos orientados longitudinalmente. Se observan uniones tipo desmosomas entre el axón terminal y las células de Merkel y queratinocitos adyacentes. El axón terminal muestra la presencia de numerosas mitocondrias y vesículas claras que miden de 30 a 50 nm de diámetro. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la protrusión citoplasmática puede servir para detectar el movimiento de queratinocitos adyacentes y también relaciona la capa epitelial con el tejido conectivo de la lámina basal

Concentración fecal de ácidos grasos volátiles y ácido láctico en pacientes con sindrome de instestino corto / Fecal concentration in volatile fatty acids and latic acids in patients with short bowel syndrome

El sindrome de intestino corto (SIC) está caracterizado por diarrea y mala absorción de nutrientes. Los carbohidratos no absorbidos en el intestino delgado pueden contribuir a la diarrea a través de un efecto osmótico mediado por los propios azúcares sin absorber o por sus productos de fermentación bacteriana. En condiciones de normalidad los ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV) son los principales metabolitos bacterianos, son parcialmente absorbidos por la mucosa colónica estimulando la absorción de sodio y agua el acido láctico esta en muy bajas concentraciones, su absorción es lenta y trabajos experimentales demuestran que puede ocasionar daño a la mucosa colónica. En este trabajo se estudió la composición del agua fecal (pH,Na+,K+, osmolaridad, AGV y ácidos D y L-láctico) de pacientes con SIC comparando los resultados con un grupo control. El agua fecal de los pacientes con SIC mostró una disminución en la concentración de K+, de la relación K+/Na+, y un incremento del gap osmótico. Los AGV fueron los principales aniones orgánicos en las heces de los sujetos controles mientras que el ácido láctico fue el anion preponderante en el agua fecal obtenida de pacientes con SIC. Estos resultados sugieren que este cambio metabólico bacteriano puede contribuir a la diarrea observada en los pacientes con SIC.

Concentración fecal de ácidos grasos volátiles y ácido láctico en pacientes con sindrome de instestino corto / Fecal concentration in volatile fatty acids and latic acids in patients with short bowel syndrome

El sindrome de intestino corto (SIC) está caracterizado por diarrea y mala absorción de nutrientes. Los carbohidratos no absorbidos en el intestino delgado pueden contribuir a la diarrea a través de un efecto osmótico mediado por los propios azúcares sin absorber o por sus productos de fermentación bacteriana. En condiciones de normalidad los ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV) son los principales metabolitos bacterianos, son parcialmente absorbidos por la mucosa colónica estimulando la absorción de sodio y agua el acido láctico esta en muy bajas concentraciones, su absorción es lenta y trabajos experimentales demuestran que puede ocasionar daño a la mucosa colónica. En este trabajo se estudió la composición del agua fecal (pH,Na+,K+, osmolaridad, AGV y ácidos D y L-láctico) de pacientes con SIC comparando los resultados con un grupo control. El agua fecal de los pacientes con SIC mostró una disminución en la concentración de K+, de la relación K+/Na+, y un incremento del gap osmótico. Los AGV fueron los principales aniones orgánicos en las heces de los sujetos controles mientras que el ácido láctico fue el anion preponderante en el agua fecal obtenida de pacientes con SIC. Estos resultados sugieren que este cambio metabólico bacteriano puede contribuir a la diarrea observada en los pacientes con SIC. (AU)

Effects of right hemicolectomy on fecal nitrogen excretion in rats.

The influence of right hemicolectomy (RH) on fecal nitrogen excretion was determined with selected protein levels up to 25%. The endogenous fecal N was determined by extrapolating protein intake to zero. Fecal N was higher in RH than in control rats at all protein levels used. However, the slope of regression curves describing fecal nitrogen excretion was greater for RH compared with the control group. The endogenous fecal nitrogen was not significantly different between the two groups of rats. The feces from rats fed with 25% of protein were partitioned into individual fractions by physical separation and a study was made of the distribution of nitrogen in the bacterial, soluble and fiber fractions of the stool. RH decreased the N excreted in the bacterial fraction by 33% (from 1.71 +/- 0.32 to 1.15 +/- 0.18 mmol/day) and increased the N excreted in the soluble fraction by 280% (from 1.60 +/- 0.30 to 6.08 +/- 1.16 mmol/day). These results show that the RH increased the fecal N excretion and that this N is mainly in the soluble fraction.

Volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, and pH in the stools of breast-fed and bottle-fed infants.

We measured fecal pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and lactic acid concentrations in 67 healthy infants ranging in age from 1 to 5 months. The babies were divided into five groups according to their diet: group 1: human milk, with subgroups of 1 month of age (n = 8), and 2-5 months (n = 12); group 2: formula milk, with subgroups of 1 month of age (n = 9) and 2-5 months (n = 10); group 3: cow's milk, one group of 2-5 months of age (n = 12); group 4: human milk supplemented with formula milk, 2-5 months of age (n = 8); and group 5: human milk supplemented with cow's milk, 2-5 months of age (n = 8). Fecal VFA concentration and pH of bottle-fed infants (groups 2 and 3) were significantly higher and lactic acid concentrations significantly lower than those of the breast-fed group. Groups 4 and 5 showed significantly higher pH and propionic acid concentration, and lower lactic acid concentration than Group 1 did. There were no significant differences in the data on pH, VFA, and lactic acid concentrations between the feces of formula and cow's milk groups. On the other hand, the addition of formula or cow's milk to the human milk was sufficient to alter the profile of VFA, the pH, and the lactic acid concentration of breast-fed infants stools. Low pH, low VFA, and high lactic acid concentrations make the colonic content of breast-fed babies an environment favorable for Bifidobacteria growth, and this is probably the main protective factor against gastrointestinal infections.

Reversibility of adenomatous hyperplasia in the gastric stump after diversion of bile reflux in rats.

Morphological and phenotypical patterns of proliferative epithelial lesions induced in the gastric stump mucosa by duodenal content reflux after Billroth II partial gastrectomy (BII) were evaluated in rats. Control animals were either sham-operated or submitted at different times after BII to Roux-en-Y (RY) surgical procedure which prevents duodenal reflux. The lesions were analysed using routine haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining for pepsinogen isoenzyme 1 and histochemical procedures for mucins (paradoxical Concanavalin A, galactose oxidase Schiff and sialidase galactose oxidase Schiff reactions). Mucosal hyperplasia (H) was observed in the group submitted to BII procedure 6 weeks after surgery. Adenomatous hyperplasia (AH) also appeared 6 weeks after induction of the reflux and its incidence and size increased until the 54th week of the experiment. RY procedure performed in the normal animals at the beginning of the experiment or at the 24th week after BII gastrectomy led to a significantly lower incidence of AH which was related to the moment of surgery. Most of H was due to pyloric mucosal hyperplasia. AH consisted mainly of gastric type glands but in some animals glands of the intestinal type were present probably originating from the intestinal mucosa. Six mucinous adenocarcinomas were observed, all of them of intestinal type. This study demonstrates that AH induced by BII procedure is a reversible lesion and that the anomalous epithelial proliferation in the stoma may lead to adenocarcinomas.

Effect of loperamide and bisacodyl on intestinal transit time, fecal weight and short chain fatty acid excretion in the rat.

We analyzed the effect of drugs that modify the colonic motility on rat intestinal transit time (ITT) (measured with radiopaque markers), fecal weight (FW) and fecal concentration of short chain fatty acids (FSCFA) (assayed by gas liquid chromatography), over a four-week period. Bisacodyl was used to accelerate and Loperamide to retard the intestinal transit in rats maintained on a conventional diet. The first and 3rd week were drug-free control periods. The mean values of these periods were: ITT = 28.9h +/- 1.9 FW: 9.2 +/- 1.2 g/24 h and FSCFA = 60.6 +/- 17.9 mmol/g. After loperamide administration, we observed an increase in the mean ITT as compared to the control period (40.4 +/- 8.0h) and decrease in FW (4.8 +/- 3.6 g/24h) and in FSCFA = 32.2 +/- 5.6 mmol/g). After bisacodyl administration, we found a shorter ITT in relation to controls (24.8 +/- 2.5h), and increases in FW (27.5 +/- 3.6g/24h) and in FSCFA (108.2 +/- 39.9 mmol/g). There was a negative correlation between ITT and FW (R = 0.67 p less than 0.01) and a positive correlation between total SCFA concentration and FW (R = 0.71 p less than 0.01). The concentration of acetic, propionic and butyric acids increased with progressive increments in fecal weight, whereas concentrations of isovaleric and caproic acids decreased. The results of this study show that the FW and the FSCFA may be influenced by modifications in the intestinal transit time.

Effect of loperamide and bisacodyl on intestinal transit time, fecal weight and short chain fatty acid excretion in the rat.

We analyzed the effect of drugs that modify the colonic motility on rat intestinal transit time (ITT) (measured with radiopaque markers), fecal weight (FW) and fecal concentration of short chain fatty acids (FSCFA) (assayed by gas liquid chromatography), over a four-week period. Bisacodyl was used to accelerate and Loperamide to retard the intestinal transit in rats maintained on a conventional diet. The first and 3rd week were drug-free control periods. The mean values of these periods were: ITT = 28.9h +/- 1.9 FW: 9.2 +/- 1.2 g/24 h and FSCFA = 60.6 +/- 17.9 mmol/g. After loperamide administration, we observed an increase in the mean ITT as compared to the control period (40.4 +/- 8.0h) and decrease in FW (4.8 +/- 3.6 g/24h) and in FSCFA = 32.2 +/- 5.6 mmol/g). After bisacodyl administration, we found a shorter ITT in relation to controls (24.8 +/- 2.5h), and increases in FW (27.5 +/- 3.6g/24h) and in FSCFA (108.2 +/- 39.9 mmol/g). There was a negative correlation between ITT and FW (R = 0.67 p less than 0.01) and a positive correlation between total SCFA concentration and FW (R = 0.71 p less than 0.01). The concentration of acetic, propionic and butyric acids increased with progressive increments in fecal weight, whereas concentrations of isovaleric and caproic acids decreased. The results of this study show that the FW and the FSCFA may be influenced by modifications in the intestinal transit time.