Abstract
Sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na), a kind of food additive with high degree of substitution, is also known as a prebiotic. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CMS-Na on defecation. Constipated mouse model was prepared by loperamide. Normal rats were also used in the study. Short-chain fatty acids in rat feces were detected by gas chromatography. The bacterial communities in rat feces were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) were measured by ELISA. The results showed that CMS-Na increased the fecal granule counts and intestinal propulsion rate in constipated mice. The contents of water, acetic acid, propionic acid and n-butyrate in feces, Tph1 in colon and 5-HT in serum of rats were increased. In addition, CMS-Na shortened the colonic transport time in rats. The 16S rDNA gene sequencing results indicated that CMS-Na increased the relative abundance of Alloprevotella and decreased the proportion of Lactobacillus. However, the biodiversity of the normal intestinal flora was not altered. In conclusion, CMS-Na can promote defecation in constipated mice. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of Alloprevotella and Lactobacillus in colon, the increase of short-chain fatty acids, and the promotion of the synthesis of Tph1 and 5-HT.
Highlights
Functional constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder in elderly persons and children; and affects 12% -17% of the general population worldwide
An increasing number of animal and human studies have shown that intestinal microbes can alleviate constipation symptoms by improving intestinal motility, which have shown promising results [17, 18]
This study showed that human- and mouse-derived gut microorganisms promote colonic tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) expression and 5-HT production through stimulatory activities of SCFAs on enterochromaffin cells (EC) cells
Summary
Functional constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder in elderly persons and children; and affects 12% -17% of the general population worldwide. Constipation for a long time can cause hemorrhoids, endocrine disorders, anal fissure and even bowel cancer, which has seriously affected human health and life quality [1, 2]. Over the past few decades, osmotic and stimulant laxatives have been used to treat constipation. It is necessary to study drugs to relieve constipation [3,4,5].
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