The nondigestible fat sucrose polyester does not stimulate gallbladder emptying in humans

BACKGROUND: We determined the effect of oral ingestion of sucrose polyester, which was approved as a fat replacer in the United States, on gallbladder motility and on the release of cholecystokinin, the hormone that mediates gallbladder emptying. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to measure effects of sucrose polyester on gallbladder emptying and cholecystokinin release. DESIGN: Eight healthy volunteers (3 men and 5 women) drank 60 mL sucrose polyester, digestible fat, or saline solution in a balanced crossover design on 3 separate days. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SEM) gallbladder emptying, when integrated over time, was low in response to both sucrose polyester (-150 +/- 214 mL x 120 min) and saline solution (-89 +/- 123 mL x 120 min). In contrast, there was marked emptying in response to digestible fat (1069 +/- 253 mL x 120 min). Sucrose polyester did not affect plasma cholecystokinin concentrations (-9.3 +/- 15.0 pmol x 120 min/L), whereas digestible fat resulted in a significant increase (89.5 +/- 44.8 pmol x 120 min/L, P = 0.014) compared with saline solution (-3.0 +/- 13.8 pmol x 120 min/L). CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of sucrose polyester, in contrast with digestible fat, did not stimulate gallbladder emptying or release of cholecystokinin.     

The fatty acid composition of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed oil

Analysis of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed oil from different seed collections (or cultivars), representing different growing areas, showed differences in the fatty acid pattern, especially with respect to linoleic (30.1-37.45%) and epoxyoleic (trace to 5.3%). The results showed different values from those previously reported for the cyclopropenoid fatty acid, found to be malvalic acid (0.4-2.0%), responsible for the positive Halphen response of the oil. It is now also established that the oil contains dihydrosterculic acid (1.0-1.6%) which has been reported previously in other species of the genus Hibiscus. The results of the rest of fatty acids showed ranges for myristic 0.2-0.5%, palmitic 17.4-22.6%, stearic 3.9-5.2% and oleic acid 34.6-39.8%.     

Mutual interference effects in the colorimetric methods used to determine the sugar composition of dietary fibre

An examination was made of the mutual interference effects in the colorimetric methods currently used to determine the sugar composition of dietary fibre components. Correction factors for use with these procedures are given.     

Primary carcinoma of the ureteral stump: a case report and a review of the literature

A case is reported of primary carcinoma of the ureteral stump with metastases following nephrectomy for benign disease. The occurrence of disseminated tumor at the time of diagnosis is uncommon, having been reported in only 3 previous cases. The autopsy findings are discussed and the literature is reviewed.