Studies of the growth and cell dynamics of the intestinal epithelium in corn and sorghum-fed rats.

A study was undertaken to compare the effects of corn and sorghum-based diets on the growth curve of young adult rats and on cell renewal in the intestinal epithelium of the jejunum and colon of the animals. Three groups of 10 rats each were studied: the first was submitted to a corn diet (Corn Group); the second to a sorghum diet (Sorghum Group), and the third to a casein diet (Control Group). The diets supplied about 7 g% protein. The experimental period lasted 13 weeks. Effects were measured in terms of weight curves, mitotic and calyciform cell indexes in the jejunum and colon. A special statistical analysis was applied allowing comparisons between the groups, and considering the sample size and the individual variations in the growth curves. The animals in the sorghum group revealed a lower growth rate, and those in the corn group showed more marked cell dynamics changes in the jejunal epithelium. Findings in the corn and sorghum-fed animals were different and cannot be explained solely in terms of niacin deficiency.