Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of inulin on enteric hyperoxaluria in rats.
Methods: In experimental A, 24 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats received an oxalate-free diet on day 1, a high-oxalate diet (oxalate, 74.82 mg/100 g feed stuffs) on days 2 and 3, and plus 2 g inulin to each rat on day 3. The 24-hour urinary volume, concentrations of urinary oxalate and urine creatinine were measured, and 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion was calculated. In experimental B, 24 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally randomized into control group and inulin group, Each rat received a high oxalate diet (oxalate, 74.82 mg/100 g feedstuffs), and plus 2 g inulin in inulin group. The 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion was calculated in both two groups.
Results: In experimental A, the 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion varied with time (F=11.481, P=0.035). The 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion significantly increased on day 2 compared with that on day 1 (P=0.026) and day 3 (P=0.037); it significantly increased on day 3 compared with day 1 (P=0.004). In experimental B, the 24-hour urinary oxalate excretion significantly decreased in inulin group compared with the control (P=0.011).
Conclusion: Inulin may have potential therapeutic effect on enteric hyperoxaluria in rats.