Yacon Product (PBY) Modulates Intestinal Constipation and Protects the Integrity of Crypts in Wistar Rats

This study investigated the use of a product based on yacon (PBY) in microbiological, physical-chemical and intestinal characteristics of Wistar rats artificially constipated with Loperamide®.Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), Constipated Control (CC), PBY (not constipated) and Constipated PBY (PBYC).The dosage of 0.14 g of FOS+ inulin/kg was tested.Microbiota, pH and faeces characteristics of faeces and caecal contents were evaluated.Caecal weight, morphometry of caecal villi and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids were determined.Higher caecal weight was identified in the PBYC animals as well as higher width, height and depth of cripts.The PBY group showed the highest (p < 0.05) concentration of butyrate (93.2 ± 65.5 mmol/L).The supplementation with PBY positively altered the intestine epithelial tissue in constipated animals, keeping the integrity of the caecum crypts.