• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1480-1487
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• 2020

Our previous report determined that miR-144 is a key regulator of intestinal epithelial permeability in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) rats. Recent evidence has shown that lactobacilli play an important role in the relief of IBS-D symptoms. However, few studies have addressed the mechanisms by which microRNAs and lactobacilli exert their beneficial effects on intestinal epithelial permeability. Hence, to elucidate whether miRNAs and lactobacilli play roles in intestinal epithelial barrier regulation, we compared miRNA expression levels in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) under Lactobacillus casei (L. casei LC01) treatment. IECs and L. casei LC01 were co-cultured and then subjected to microRNA microarray assay. qRT-PCR, western blot and ELISA were used to detect the expression of occludin (OCLN) and zonula occludens 1 (ZO1/TJP1). The interaction between miRNAs and L. casei LC01 acting in IECs was investigated through transfection of RNA oligoribonucleotides and pcDNA 3.1 plasmid. The results are as follows: 1) L. casei LC01 decreased the expression of miR-144 and FD4 and promoted OCLN and ZO1 expression in IECs; 2) L. casei LC01 enhanced the barrier function of IECs via downregulation of miR-144 and upregulation of OCLN and ZO1; 3) Under L. casei LC01 treatment, OCLN and ZO1 overexpression could partially eliminate the promoting effect of miR-144 on intestinal permeability in IECs. Our results demonstrate that L. casei LC01 regulates intestinal permeability of IECs through miR-144 targeting of OCLN and ZO1. L. casei LC01 can be a possible therapeutic target for managing dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.215-219
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• 2013

The descending control system is composed of a group of structures in the midbrain, medulla oblongata and pons that form a network of descending inhibitory projections. In the clinical setting, it has been shown that the application of a electrical counterirritant to these structures and diminishes the pain in patients. Thus, depression and anxiety have been shown to predict the development of chronic neuropathic pain state. These factors could influence pain might also involve descending controls. Interestingly, reduced descending controls are seen in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and theses patients had greater anxiety, depression compared to controls. And, the influence of anxiety on the chronicity of pain and on the descending control pathways should be tested in animal models, using modern techniques. Given this Knowledge, it is no wonder that pain is a highly personal experience that is susceptible to a variety of biologic, pharmacologic, and environmental influences.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1295-1303
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• 2013

According to facts revealed up until the present, there are a total of 68 known phyla on earth, including 55 phyla of bacteria and 13 phyla of archaea. The human large intestine has 9 phyla of microorganisms, which is a relatively lower diversity compared to the general environments of soil or sea. The diversity of intestinal microorganisms is affected by the characteristics of the host (genetic background, sex, age, immune system, and gut motility), the diet (non-digestible carbohydrates, fat, prebiotics, probiotics), and the intake of antibiotics, which in turn have an effect on energy storage processes, gene expressions, and even metabolic diseases like obesity. Probiotics are referred to as living microorganisms that improve the intestinal microbiota and contribute to the health of the host; in addition, probiotics usually comprise lactic acid bacteria. Recently, bacteriotherapy using probiotics has been utilized to treat sicknesses like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Prebiotics are a food ingredient which can selectively adjust intestinal microorganisms and which comprise inulin, fructooligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and lactulose. In recent days, attention has been paid to the use of dietary cellulose in the large intestine and the production of short chain fatty acids (short-chain fatty acids) in relation to obesity and anticancer. More research into microorganisms in the large intestine is necessary to identify specific microorganism species, which are adjusted by diverse non-digestible carbohydrates, prebiotics, and probiotics in the large intestine and to understand the connection between sicknesses and metabolites like short chain fatty acids produced by these microorganism species.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate diet-related Quality of Life (QOL) and to analyze the relationship among diet-related QOL, dietary regimen practice, health-related QOL, and gastrointestinal symptoms in hemodialysis patients. Subjects were recruited from an artificial kidney center in Seoul. The self-report questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics, diet-related QOL, compliance with dietary regimen practice, health-related QOL, and gastrointestinal symptoms was distributed. Diet-related QOL includes a 'Quality of Life and Related to Dietary Change Questionnaire', 'Satisfaction Survey', and 'Dietary Impact Survey'. According to their responses, participants had experienced the greatest difficulty with 'Dietary Impact'. In particular, the mean score for general health was low. Association of dietary regimen practice showed a positive association with 'Cost' and 'Self-care' score. In addition, diet-related QOL showed positive correlation with health-related QOL, particularly in 'taste'. Scores for 'Taste', 'Convenience', and 'Dietary Impact' were lower for subjects with constipation compared to those of subjects without constipation. Scores for 'Taste' and 'Dietary Impact' were lower in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome compared to those of subjects without the syndrome (p < 0.05). Diet-related QOL showed a positive association with health-related QOL (p < 0.05), whereas it showed a negative association with constipation (p < 0.01). In conclusion, hemodialysis patients in Korea suffer from burden of dietary regimen practice and most scores for diet-related QOL and health-related QOL from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms were low. Therefore, appropriate nutrition education considering gastrointestinal symptoms is necessary for improvement of patients' QOL during dietary regimen practice.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the psychosocial characteristics of patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) by classifying them into irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD), functional constipation (FC), functional heartburn (FH) groups, and overlap group (two or more functional diseases) and to examine the factors associated with the quality of life (QoL) of patients with FGID. Methods : A total of 144 patients who were diagnosed with FGID were selected as the subjects. The demographical factors were investigated; Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II (K-BDI-II), Korean-Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI), Korean version of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (K-CTQ), Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Korean Version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (K-CD-RISC), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument Brief Form (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to evaluate the psychosocial factors. Results : TThe overlap group had a significantly higher K-BDI-II score (F=11.09, p<0.001) and K-BAI score (F=8.93, p<0.001) compared to other groups. In childhood trauma, the IBS patients had a difference in emotional neglect (F=2.54, p=0.04) than the FD patients. The QoL of FGID patients had a negative correlation with depression (r=-0.196, p<0.01), anxiety (r=-0.235, p<0.01), and childhood trauma (r=-0.222, p<0.01), and a positive correlation with social support (r=0.512, p<0.01) and resilience (r=0.581, p<0.01). Conclusions : Overlap group had a higher level of depression and anxiety, and the IBS patient group had a higher level of emotional neglect than the FD patient group in terms of childhood trauma.