Effect of dietary fiber on morphine-induced constipation in rats.
Morphine is used to alleviate chronic cancer pain. However, constipation is a major adverse effect that often detracts from the patient's quality of life. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of dietary fiber on morphine-induced constipation. Rats were fed on a normal diet or one containing either 10% or 20% apple fiber for two weeks before morphine was administered. In the control diet group, the fecal number and dry weight were decreased by treating with morphine in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the motility of the small and large intestines was reduced. The fecal number and weight were increased and the colon motility was promoted by dietary fiber, regardless of whether morphine was being administered. The dietary fiber increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the cecum. These results suggest that dietary fiber has a preventative effect on morphine-induced constipation by increasing SCFAs in the cecum, and thereby promoting colon motility in rats.
Niwa
Takashi
T
Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Nakao
Makoto
M
Hoshi
Seiko
S
Yamada
Kiyofumi
K
Inagaki
Kazuhiro
K
Nishida
Mikio
M
Nabeshima
Toshitaka
T
D000818:Animals; D002432:Cecum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000032:analysis; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D027845:Malus / Q000737:chemistry; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009294:Narcotics; D014867:Water; D009020:Morphine