• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.186-192
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between colon transit time (CTT) test value and initial maintenance dose of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000 or lactulose. Methods: Of 415 children with chronic functional constipation, 190 were enrolled based on exclusion criteria using the CTT test, defecation diary, and clinical chart. The CTT test was performed with prior disimpaction. The laxative dose for maintenance was determined on the basis of the defecation diary and clinical chart. The Shapiro-Wilk test and Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were used for statistical analysis. Results: The overall group median value and interquartile range of the CTT test was 43.8 (31.8) hours. The average PEG 4000 dose for maintenance in the overall group was $0.68{\pm}0.18g/kg/d$; according to age, the dose was $0.73{\pm}0.16g/kg/d$ (<8 years), $0.53{\pm}0.12g/kg/d$ (8 to <12 years), and $0.36{\pm}0.05g/kg/d$ (12 to 15 years). The dose of lactulose was $1.99{\pm}0.43mL/kg/d$ (<8 years) or $1.26{\pm}0.25mL/kg/d$ (8 to <12 years). There was no significant correlation between CTT test value and initial dose of laxative, irrespective of the subgroup (encopresis, abnormal CTT test subtype) for either laxative. Even in the largest group (overall, n=109, younger than 8 years and on PEG 4000), the correlation was weak (Pearson's correlation coefficient [R]=0.268, p=0.005). Within the abnormal transit group, subgroup (n=73, younger than 8 years and on PEG 4000) correlation was weak (R=0.267, p=0.022). Conclusion: CTT test value cannot predict the initial maintenance dose of PEG 4000 or lactulose with linear correlation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.208-212
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• 2012

In the present study, we examined whether four grains including adlay (AD), buckwheat (BW), glutinous barley (GB), and white rice (WR) affect the duration of food residence in the gastrointestinal tract and hepatic enzyme activities in rats fed different combinations of the grains. The rats were raised for 4 weeks on a high fat diet based on the American Institute of Nutrition-93 (AIN-93G) diets containing 1% cholesterol and 20% dietary lipids. Forty male rats were divided into four groups and raised for 4 weeks with a diet containing one of the grains. Corresponding to the dietary fiber contents of the experimental grains, gut transit time was shortest in the rats fed GB and increased in the order of BW, AD, and WR. In addition, the accumulated shortest transit time occurred in the GB group. Gut transit time affected weight gain and major organ weight, as it was closely related to the absorption of nutrients. The level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in liver was higher in rats fed WR, AD, BW, and GB, indicating that the other grains decreased oxidative stress in vivo more than WR. Glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase levels in the AD, BW, and GB groups were significantly higher than those in the WR group. In conclusion, reduced colonic transit time has been implicated in reducing the incidence of colon cancer, as evidenced by populations consuming diets rich in fiber. Whole grains such as AD, BW, and GB may contribute to a significant supply of antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress if they are consumed in large amounts.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.931-936
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• 2006

This study sought to investigate any additive or interactive effects that soy isoflavones may have on the ecosystem of the gut, which is influenced by fructooligosaccharide (FOS) in colon-cancer model rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine were given experimental diets containing 0, 3, 6, or 9% FOS with or without 0.1% soy isoflavone for 12 weeks. In addition to the effects of FOS dosage on the gut ecosystem, dietary supplementation with soy isoflavone reduced the number of colonic aberrant crypts (ACs). The fecal weight, fecal pH, and gut transit time significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in rats fed FOS and the fecal concentration of bifidobacteria was higher in rats fed FOS than in control rats. The fecal output of total short-chain fatty acids, acetate, and propionate was significantly increased by the presence of FOS and was negatively correlated with the number of ACs, whereas the fecal output of butyrate showed no significant correlation with FOS dosage. The addition of soy isoflavone to the diet did not result in any significant differences in gut ecosystem parameters. Therefore, we conclude that the suppressive effect of soy isoflavone on ACs was not associated with the intestinal ecosystem, which was significantly altered by the dosage of FOS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2003

This study investigated the effects of high amylose starch (HAS) consumption on gut functions in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Experimental animals were fed an diet containing HAS for 4 weeks (0, 125, 250, 500 g/kg diet). Stool weights, transit time, the pH of cecum, Bifidobacterium growth, short chain fatty acid production, and prostaglandin E$_2$production in colon mucus were measured. HAS intake did not affect body weight gain or food efficiency ratio during experimental period. There were no significant differences in kidney weight, epididymal fat pad weights or spleen weights, but the weights of the liver and thymus were significantly lower in the HAS100 group. The length of the large intestine, the weights of the cecum wall and cecum contents, and stool weights significantly increased through HAS intake. But transit time was not affected by the experimental diet. Although Bifidobacterium growth in the cecum increased through the HAS intake dose dependently, there were significant differences in the HAS50 and HAS100 groups. HAS intake increased the production of short chain fatty acid in the cecum contents. In particular, acetate and butyrate concentrations grew significantly. And the production of prostaglandin E$_2$in the colon mucus significantly decreased through HAS intake. These results demonstrate that high amylose starch intake significantly improves gut function.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2008

We investigated the combinatorial effects of different doses of dietary soy isoflavones (SI) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) in a rat model of colon cancer. We hypothesized that increased bioavailability of SI metabolites due to dietary FOS may increase production of bioactive equol and affect colon carcinogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Sprague-Dawley male rats were injected with 12-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and were providec experimental diets that contained 0, 10, 50, 150, or 500 mg SI per kg of diet and 6% FOS for 12 weeks. The number of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in colonic tissues were significantly decreased in the 6% FOS-fed groups compared to the control group. Gut transit time and fecal pH were significantly lower, and fecal concentrations of bifidobacteria were increased with 6% FOS. However, dietary SI supplementation in combination with 6% dietary FOS did not affect ACF formation or COX-2 expression. Plasma equol concentrations were dose-dependently increased by supplementation of SI up to 500 mg/kg of diet. In conclusion, SI supplementation up to 500 mg/kg of diet appeared to have no additive beneficial effects in rats with chemically-induced colon cancer that were fed 6% FOS, although plasma equol was dose-dependently increased.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.179-182
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• 2016

An 11-year-old castrated male Maltese had vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal distension for over two weeks and weight loss for several months. Clinical laboratory studies were not remarkable. Abdominal radiographs showed severe dilated intestine with a gravel sign. Colon was empty with normal diameter in the pneumocolon study. On ultrasonographs, most small bowel loops were dilated without normal peristalsis and showed abnormal thin wall. Barium contrast study revealed remarkably delayed gastric emptying and transit time up to $6^{th}$ day. On exploratory laparotomy, there were no mechanical obstruction and extra-intestinal abnormalities except severe dilated small intestine. Chronic fibrosing lymphohistiocytic leiomyositis with atrophy of tunica muscularis in the small intestines and colon was identified through full thickness biopsy and histopathology. Therefore, primary myopathic chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed. This dog is survival with symptomatic treatments for eight months.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.539-549
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• 1996

Large bowel cancer correlates tightly to dietary factors such as dietary fiber and fat. Dietary fiber prevents the large bowel cancer in different modes of action which depend upon physicochemical and fermentable properties. Water-soluble fiber is fermented easily by intestinal microbes producing short chain fatty acids ; in contrast, water-insoluble fiber occurs effectively more rapid transit time due to greater bulk of gut content, though it is unfermentable. Not only short chain fatty acid is utilized in the proximal and distal colon as primary energy source, but also it lowers pH in the colon to normalize cellular differentiation and helps to stimulate peri staltic movement by acting as an osmotic laxative. In particular, butyric acid may also regulate gene expression and cell growth, though it is an important respiratory fuel for the colonocyte. Since dietary fiber and non-digestible oligosaccharides are the major source of butyric acid, this provides a possible link between dietary fiber and oligosaccharide and prevention of large bowel cancer. But, as with many links between dietary fiber and large bowel cancer, a direct casual association has not been established. In addition, RDA of dietary fiber which is 20~25g/day for adult Japanese, appears to be reasonable for the defecation once daily and the prevention of large bowel cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2023

Purpose: Dyssynergic defecation (DSD) is one of the important causes of chronic constipation in children. We aimed to analyze the clinical features, diagnostic test results, and treatments for DSD in children. Methods: Children diagnosed with DSD using fluoroscopic defecography were enrolled in this study. Clinical data, including the results of colon transit time (CTT) test and biofeedback (BF) therapy, were collected from medical records retrospectively. Results: Nineteen children were enrolled. The median age was 9 years (6-18 years), the median frequency of bowel movement was 1/7 days (1-10 days), the median duration of constipation was 7.0 years (2-18 years), the median age of onset of constipation was 2.5 years (1-11 years). In the CTT test, outlet obstruction type was noted in 10/18 (55.6%), slow transit type in 5/18 (27.8%), and normal transit in 1/18 (5.6%). The median CTT was 52 hours (40-142 hours). Initial medical therapy was performed with the polyethylene glycol 4000, and the response was good in 9/19 (47.4%), fair in 9/19 (47.4%), and poor in 1/19 (5.0%). BF was performed in 8/19, with good results in 6/8 (75.0%) children and failure in 2/8 (25.0%) children. After long-term medical therapy (11/19), 3/5 showed good response with medication alone, 6/8 showed good response with BF and medication combined. Conclusion: DSD should be considered as a cause of chronic constipation in children, especially in those with abnormal CTT test results. BF combined with medical therapy is effective even with age-limited cooperation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.650-659
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• 2021

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Chinese gooseberry (kiwi)-based products on the improvement of intestinal function and constipation. In this study, 21 participants with no underlying disease and complaining of subjective constipation symptoms were selected. Through a pre-experimental design, the main effects, including the colon stagnation score and colon transit time, were assessed after the consumption of Chinese gooseberry (kiwi)-based products. To evaluate the side effects of this product, a subjective constipation assessment test was performed to analyze the degree of constipation improvement at an individual level. The results for the main effects revealed that the number of constipation groups was statistically significantly decreased, and the colon stagnation score and colon transit time were also reduced. Additionally, the participants' subjective constipation assessment test revealed a significant improvement in both intestinal function and bowel activity before and after the consumption of Chinese gooseberry (kiwi)-based products. Similar to the previously known kelp-, lactobacillus-, and fiber-based products, we showed that Chinese gooseberry (kiwi)-based products exert a significant effect on the improvement of the intestinal function and constipation. Furthermore, the results of this study provide valuable information for the development of healthy food products in the future that can help improve bowel movement. Moreover, Chinese gooseberry (kiwi) used in this study is not a functional food and is easily accessible. However, this study has several limitations as it is based on a pre-experimental design. Therefore, studies on randomized experimental and control groups are needed in the future.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2010

2 week study was conducted to investigate the effects of Interferential Current(IC) and Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy(KEOMT) on functional constipation. Interventions were applied to spinal segments between $T_9-L_2$ which provides innervations to the gastrointestinal tract. Subjects(n=24) were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: the IC group or the KEOMT group. Results for the IC therapy demonstrated significant decrease with the colonic transit time(CTT) as well as scores on the constipation assessment scale(CAS). The frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly(p<0.05). The KEOMT displayed decreased CTT in the left colon region. The scores on the CAS were reduced and frequency of defecations per week had increased significantly (p<0.05). This study not only showed that both modes of therapy improved symptoms of constipation, but also optimized gastrointesti. nal content movement, eventuating in a more normalized CTT. In conclusion, both the IC therapy and the Kaltenborn-Evjenth Orthopedic Manual Therapy have shown to be effective interventions for improving functional constipation.