title: Effect of dual-type oligosaccharides on constipation in loperamide-treated rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Bk21Plus, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomaterials, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Bae
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: So Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Joo
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Suh
keywords: Alcian Blue; Oligosaccharides; constipation; gastrointestinal transit; loperamide