Effect of a Polysaccharide Fraction from Fruit Bodies of Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers on Short-chain Fatty Acids in Intestinal Tract of Rats

In this study,the effect of a polysaccharide fraction from fruit bodies of Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers,named PMEP-1 on short-chain fatty acids in the intestinal tract of rats was investigated. SD rats were orally administered PMEP-1 at high dosage (400 mg/kg bw·d),medium dosage (200 mg/kg bw·d) and low dosage (100 mg/kg bw·d) for a period of four weeks. Rat feces were collected periodically during the trial. Short-chain fatty acids in intestinal tract of rats were determined by gas chromatography. The results indicated that PMEP-1 had an obvious effect on the production of acetic acid,propionic acid,isobutyric acid,butyric acid,valeric acid and caproic acid,but had no obvious effect on the production of heptanoic acid and isovaleric acid. PMEP-1 at various dosages exhibited considerably different effects on short-chain fatty acids. An obvious effect of medium and low dosages of PMEP-1 on short-chain fatty acids was observed. The highest productivity of short-chain fatty acids in intestinal tract of rats in each dose group appeared at 7-14 days.