title: Effects of β-(1,3-1,6)-D-glucan on irritable bowel syndrome-related colonic hypersensitivity.
abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain associated with altered bowel habits. Since the prevalence of IBS is very high and thus, involves elevated health-care costs, treatment of this condition by methods other than prescribed medicines could be beneficial. β-(1,3)-D-glucan with β-(1,6) branches (β-glucan) has been used as a nutritional supplement for many years. In this study, we examined the effect of β-glucan on fecal pellet output and visceral pain response in animal models of IBS. Oral administration of β-glucan suppressed the restraint stress- or drug-induced fecal pellet output. β-Glucan also suppressed the visceral pain response to colorectal distension. These results suggest that β-glucan could be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of IBS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
authors.forename: Teita
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Ken-ichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Shintaro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suemasu
authors.forename: Tomoaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ishihara
authors.forename: Kayoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tahara
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Shin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukudo
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizushima
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D005936:Glucans; C033671:epiglucan