Beta-glucan on Fecal Microflora in Polypectomized Patients

Prebiotics, such as short- and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides are fermented by the microflora colonizing the gastrointestinal tract, and they selectively stimulate the growth or the activity of one or limited number of bacteria within the intestine. Beta-glucans are polysaccharides occurring in the bran of cereal grains, the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bacteria, certain types of fungi, seaweed and many kinds of mushrooms. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the potential prebiotic beta-glucan on the intestinal microflora, the bacterial enzyme activity (beta-glucuronidase and beta-glucosidase) in the faeces, the faecal pH, and the concentration of faecal short-chain fatty acid in polypectomized patients.

Inclusion criteria

• The subjects must have biopsy and histologically confirmed adenomatous polyps ≥ 1cm in size or ≥ 3 in number with moderate or severe dysplasia

Exclusion criteria

• Subjects ≥ 75 years of age
• Subjects who are pregnant or desire to become pregnant during the study period
• Subjects who are considered to be poor clinic attendees
• Subjects who have been on antibiotics within the previous month or are likely to require antibiotics during the trial
• Subjects who consume prebiotics or probiotics within the previous month or are likely to require antibiotics during the trial
• Subjects with colon cancer
• Subjects with additional gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• Subjects with malignancy or any end-stage organ disease