title: Laxative effects of partially defatted flaxseed meal on normal and experimental constipated mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Constipation is a very common health problem in the world. Intake of sufficient amount of dietary fibers is a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of constipation. As a traditional medicine, flaxseed has been used to treat constipation for centuries, but the controlled trials are rare. The purpose of the present study was to assess that whether partially defatted flaxseed meal (PDFM) has the potential role to facilitate fecal output in normal and experimental constipated mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  After supplemented with 2.5%, 5% and 10% (w/w) PDFM (L-, M- and H-PDFM) for 14 days, the constipation models of mice were induced by atropine-diphenoxylate. The small intestinal transit rates, start time of defecation, amount of defecation and wet weight of feces were researched in normal and constipation model mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  M- and H-PDFM significantly increase small intestinal transit rates in constipation model mice. All dose of PDFM markedly shortened the start time of defecation and M- and H-PDFM significantly increase stool frequency and weight in both normal and constipation model mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDFM may be a useful laxative to facilitate fecal output in normal and constipation conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Product Processing and Nutriology, Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 2 Xudong Second Road, Wuhan 430062, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jiqu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xiaoqi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qianchun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Qingde
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin'e
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Nianhong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Fenghong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005243:Feces; D019597:Flax; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects; D054368:Laxatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012639:Seeds
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D054368:Laxatives; D028321:Plant Preparations