• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.856-866
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between the prevalence of constipation and beverage intake. Research data were collected from first and second grade female students at Hyehwa High School in Seoul by means of questionnaires. A total of 190 questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN program. The results are summarized as follows: The average body mass index (BMI) was 20.7. Of the students, 38.4% had a BMI of less than 20(underweight), and 15.8% had a BMI of over 23 (overweight). However, 84.7% of the students wanted to lose weight. To estimate the prevalence of constipation, five factors were used: frequency and regularity of defecation, time spent defecating, defecation difficulty, and feeling of residue after defecation. The percentage of the students who emptied their bowels every day was 22.1%. About 2/5 of the students (42.1%) had irregular defecation, and 15.2% spent more than 10 minutes in the rest room when defecating. The students who did not have difficulty defecating and those who did not have feelings of residue after defecating were only 24.7% and 28.9%, respectively. The amount of beverage intake per day was 1,062$m\ell$ 674$m\ell$ of water, 128$m\ell$ of milk, 88$m\ell$ of soft drinks, and 53$m\ell$ of fruit juice. The amount of beverage intake before breakfast, during breakfast, before lunch and during lunch was about 100 $m\ell$, each; before dinner, during dinner, and after dinner it was about 200$m\ell$, each. The amount of beverage intake during the weekend was 120$m\ell$ greater than on weekdays. Students who drank more beverages, especially water, before breakfast, showed a higher defecation frequency, more regular defecation, spent less time defecating, had less difficulty defecating, and had less feeling of residue after defecation, so that they have a better defecation pattern. Based on these results, increasing the amount of beverage consumption, especially of water, and drinking greater quantities of beverage before breakfast are ways to reduce constipation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2016

Purpose: Each ethnic group has a unique life style, including diets. Life style affects bowel movement. The aim of this study is to describe the results of colon transit time (CTT) tests in Korean children who had chronic functional constipation based on highly refined data. Methods: One hundred ninety (86 males) out of 415 children who performed a CTT test under the diagnosis of chronic constipation according to Rome III criteria at Konkuk University Medical Center from January 2006 through March 2015 were enrolled in this study. Two hundreds twenty-five children were excluded on the basis of CTT test result, defecation diary, and clinical setting. Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The median value and interquartile range (IQR) of CTT was 54 (37.5) hours in Encopresis group, and those in non-encopresis group was 40.2 (27.9) hours (p<0.001). The frequency of subtype between non-encopresis group and encopresis was statistically significant (p=0.002). The non-encopresis group (n=154, 81.1%) was divided into normal transit subgroup (n=84, 54.5%; median value and IQR of CTT=26.4 [9.6] hours), outlet obstruction subgroup (n=18, 11.7%; 62.4 [15.6] hours), and slow transit subgroup (n=52, 33.8%; 54.6 [21.0] hours]. The encopresis group (n=36, 18.9%) was divided into normal transit subgroup (n=8, 22.2%; median value and IQR of CTT=32.4 [9.9] hours), outlet obstruction subgroup (n=8, 22.2%; 67.8 [34.8] hours), and slow transit subgroup (n=20, 55.6%; 59.4 [62.7] hours). Conclusion: This study provided the basic pattern and value of the CTT test in Korean children with chronic constipation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented soybean paste with significant health-promoting effects. On the other hand, there have been insufficient studies on the safety and efficacy of Cheonggukjang, which is produced using traditional methods containing toxins and biogenic amines (BAs). This study compared the laxative effect of Cheonggukjang, containing high or low levels of toxins and BAs (HTBC or LTBC) in a loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce constipation, Lop (5 mg/kg) was administered orally to ICR mice twice a day for 4 days, and the dose was increased to 8 mg/kg after a 3-day rest period. Cheonggukjang (500 mg/kg, HTBC, or LTBC respectively) was administered for four weeks before the Lop treatment. RESULTS: The number of stools, fecal weight, water contents, gastrointestinal transit, and histological alterations were recovered significantly in the HTBC or LTBC groups. HTBC and LTBC administration did not induce significant changes in body weight, dietary intake, and behavior. The opioid-receptor downstream signaling pathway in colon tissues was also evaluated. The c-Kit, stem cell kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38, were all downregulated in the HTBC or LTBC-administered mice colon compared to the Lop group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Cheonggukjang, containing high levels of toxins and BAs, have a similar laxative effect in a mouse model of Lop-induced constipation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-86
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• 2023

Purpose: Information regarding functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in infants is currently lacking in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors of FGIDs in infants aged 6 weeks to 4 months in Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study of 433 infants was conducted between September 2018 and February 2020. Information on FGIDs was collected using the Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire and the Feeding Practice and Gut Comfort Questionnaire. Adapted Rome IV criteria were used to define the FGIDs. Results: The prevalence of regurgitation was 26.3%; 16.8% of the infants presented cryingrelated symptoms and 5.5% exhibited constipation. The statistical analyses revealed that constipation was associated with sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07-7.71; p=0.043), employment of the father (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.12-0.77; p=0.01), and education of the mother (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.07-3.51; p=0.031). Length at birth (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.55-0.99; p=0.042) was associated with constipation. Length at visit (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91; p<0.001) was associated with regurgitation, and the weight at visit (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35-0.96; p=0.038) was associated with crying and/or colic. A history of parental FGIDs was associated with crying-related symptoms (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.23-3.68; p=0.007). Conclusion: Regurgitation, crying, and constipation are common FGIDs in infants. Some parental and infant characteristics may be predictors for FGIDs. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of our findings. Understanding the determinants of FGIDs will benefit healthcare professionals and parents to improve infant's quality of life and better manage these condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.428-442
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• 2011

This study investigated the actual status of constipation. In total, 978 female students in Korea participated. We identified the relationship among constipation and life style, clothing patterns, housing patterns, dietary habits, and dietary intake in a constipation symptom group and a normal group. The actual constipation rate based on the Rome II criteria was 27.0% (n = 264). Body weight (p < 0.05) and body mass index (p < 0.05) in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The incidence of functional bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The discomfort of wearing underwear was significantly higher in the constipation group than that in the normal group. The constipation group revealed a significantly higher rate of irregular dietary habits than those in the normal group. The dietary diversity score of the normal group was 4.22 (p < 0.05), which was significantly higher than that of constipation group (4.12). No significant difference in life style factors was observed. It is necessary for university female students to correct their dietary habits, maintain food intake of three times per day, and select diverse foods. Furthermore, it is necessary for university female students to wear comfortable clothing to lessen symptoms and improve constipation rates.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.5-12
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• 2004

I. Introduction : The constipation is one of the common gastrointestinal symptoms seen in the clinical practice. When people come to the clinic complaining of the constipation, it is generally one of the cases of infrequent, painful or difficult evacuation as well as the hardened feces and unsatisfactory evacuation sense. Since the constipation is heavily influenced by dietary habit as well as the social and medical environment, the diagnostic radiology is useful to establish the objective and standardized definition in consideration of those various factors before diagnosis and treatment of the constipation patient. This paper describes the study of such diagnosis. II. Main Subject : Testing of CTT (colon transit time) is key study of the colon performance. CTT is very helpful in classifying the pathologic physiological types and defining the treatment plan for the chronic constipation. The study methods include using the radipaque marker, multiple marker technique and scintigraphic measurement. The defecography is the functional radiologic examination a that provides not only the anatomical information of anorectal but also performance of the pelvic floor and rectal change during evacuation. Study of dynamic movement of the anorectal during evacuation is helpful for diagnosis and treatment planning as well as follow-up testing for the constipation patient. One of the issues essential for the case history is the thorough observation of whether the patient shows the psychic psychological symptoms such as the behavior disorder or emotional disturbance. In that case, the decision must be made whether or which type of medication is needed for such psychiatric problem. III. Conclusion : The main causes of the constipation are insufficient intake of fiber or liquid. The key objective of such tests is to check etiology of the constipation. In general, the radiological examination does not provde the colon or anorectal performance information. It is envisaged that this study will provide the information to decide the testing and treatment plans and predict the prognosis of the patient by classifying the pathologic physiological types.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.207-210
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• 2016

The efficacy of extracts of oat (Avena sativa L.) bran in loperamide-induced constipation in SD rats was evaluated. The rats were divided into six groups of five rats each. The animals in Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (constipated control) were administered with distilled water orally. Groups 3, 4 and 5 comprised of constipated rats administered 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight per day of extract of oat (Avena sativa L.) bran respectively while Group 6 were constipated rats administered bisacodyl (0.25 mg/kg body weight). Constipation was induced by oral administration of loperamide. The feeding characteristics, body weight, fecal properties were monitored. The results show that oats (Avena sativa L.) bran possesses laxative effects in loperamide-induced constipated rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.90-93
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• 2002

The purgative activity of Seunggitang prescriptions (Deseunggitang, Soseunggitang and Joweseunggitang) was measured to compare the laxative potency of these herbal prescriptions. Daeseunggitang and Jowiseunggitang more potently stimulated the transportation of small and large intestine than Rhei Rhizoma alone. However, the small and large intestine transportation activities of Soseunggitang were similar to those of Rhei Rhizoma alone. Soseunggitang inhibited nitrite production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and trypsin than the other Seunggitangs. The inhibitory activity of Jowiseunggitang was more potent on nitrite production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells than those of Daeseunggitang. These results suggest that Daeseunggitang can be used as a emergent purgative for patients with severe fever and constipation, Soseunggitang can be as a mild purgative for chronic constipation with inflammation and Jowiseunggitang can be as a potent purgative for patients for severe constipation and weak colitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.735-742
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• 2001

Object : This study was carried out to investigate the bowel disorders following parkinson's disease. Methods : We studied 2 patients with constipation followed by parkinson's disease. Both were diagnosed as COLONOTONIA - according to 8 Constitution medicine. Case 1 was treated with methods of 8 Constitution therapy and herbal medication(Sopoongsoongee-won). Case 2 was treated with method of 8 Constitution therapy only. Conclusions : After treatment, symptom of constipation were improved in both case.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.605-609
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• 2007

The effects of lactic acid fermented yam yogurt (Yam/YG) on colon mucosal tissue were investigated in a loperamide-induced constipation rat models. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 6 weeks with 3 types of diets (normal, supplemented with lactic acid bacteria, and supplemented with Yam/YG), and were then administered loperamide intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days. Administration of loperamide decreased fecal excretion and the moisture content of feces with increasing of numbers of pellets in the colon. On the histopathologic findings from hematoxylin and eosin (H& E) and alcian blue stainings, supplementation with Yam/YG resulted in the recovery of depleted goblet cells and mucin, and increased the numbers of Ki-67 positive cells, indicating restoration of colonic mucosa through cell proliferation and crypt regeneration against damages observed in crypt epithelial cells of loperamide-induced rats. These results indicate that Yam/YG improves evacuation and mucus production in the gastrointestinal tracts of constipated-induced rats.