Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Dec;10(6):583-589. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.6.583.

Effect of dual-type oligosaccharides on constipation in loperamide-treated rats

• Han SH
• Hong KB
• Kim EY
• Ahn SH
• Suh HJ

• KMID: 2359614
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.6.583

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Constipation is a condition that can result from intestinal deformation. Because humans have an upright posture, the effects of gravity can cause this shape deformation. Oligosaccharides are common prebiotics and their effects on bowel health are well known. However, studies of the physiological functionality of a product that contains both lactulose and galactooligosaccharides are insufficient. We investigated the constipation reduction effect of a dual-type oligosaccharide, Dual-Oligo, in loperamide-treated rats.
MATERIALS/METHODS
Dual-Oligo consists of galactooligosaccharides (15.80%) and lactulose (51.67%). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the normal group (normal), control group (control), low concentration of Dual-Oligo (LDO) group, and high concentration of Dual-Oligo (HDO) group. After 7 days of oral administration, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal were measured. Blood chemistry, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and intestinal mucosa were analyzed.
RESULTS
Dual-Oligo increased the fecal weight, and water content of feces in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and area of intestinal mucosa significantly increased after treatment with Dual-Oligo in loperamide-induced rats. A high concentration of Dual-Oligo tended to produce more acetic acid than that observed for the control group, and Dual-Oligo affected the production of total SCFA. Bifidobacteria concentration of cecal contents in the high-concentration oligosaccharide (HDO) and low-concentration oligosaccharide (LDO) groups was similar to the result of the normal group.
CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that Dual-Oligo is a functional material that is derived from a natural food product and is effective in ameliorating constipation.

Keyword

Oligosaccharides; constipation; loperamide; gastrointestinal transit; Alcian Blue

MeSH Terms

Acetic Acid
Administration, Oral
Alcian Blue
Animals
Chemistry
Constipation*
Feces
Gastrointestinal Transit
Gravitation
Humans
Intestinal Mucosa
Lactulose
Loperamide
Oligosaccharides*
Posture
Prebiotics
Rats*
Water
Acetic Acid
Alcian Blue
Lactulose
Loperamide
Oligosaccharides
Prebiotics
Water

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Effect of Dual-Oligo on gastrointestinal transit ratio. The intestinal tract ratio of charcoal (%) = (moving distance of the most distal end portion of the charcoal /total length intestinal tract) ×100. Bars represent the mean ± SD (n = 8). Different letters in the bar mean significant difference at P < 0.05 level by Tukey's test. Normal: normal group; Control: loperamide-treated group; LDO: low concentration of Dual-Oligo (10%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group; HDO: high concentration of Dual-Oligo (15%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Concentrations of acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid in loperamide-treated rat feces. Bars represent the mean ± SD (n = 8). Different letters in the bar mean a significant difference at P < 0.05 level by Tukey's test. Normal: normal group; Control: loperamide-treated group; LDO: low concentration of Dual-Oligo (10%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group; HDO: high concentration of Dual-Oligo (15%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group.

• 

  Fig. 3 Bifidobacteria counts of cecal contents in loperamide-treated rats. Bars represent the mean ± SD (n = 8). NS: not significantly different among groups; Normal: normal group; Control: loperamide-treated group; LDO: low concentration of Dual-Oligo (10%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group; HDO: high concentration of Dual-Oligo (15%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group.

• 

  Fig. 4 Effects of Dual-Oligo on histological parameters in a loperamide-induced constipation model. (A) Cross-sections of the distal colon were stained with Alcian blue at a pH of 2.5 (×100). Arrow indicates the surface mucus thickness measurement. (B) Area of colonic crypt; (C) Thickness of colonic mucosa. Bars represent the mean ± SD (n = 8). Different letters in the bar mean a significant difference at P < 0.05 level by Tukey's test. Normal: normal group; Control: loperamide-treated group; LDO: low concentration of Dual-Oligo (10%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group; HDO: high concentration of Dual-Oligo (15%, w/v of drinking water) and loperamide-treated group.

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