Archive for category Constipation
Meno Intl ’09: Review of probiotics and prebiotics in women’s health
Posted by library in Constipation, Intestinal Health, Vaginal & Urogenital on July 12, 2012
De Vrese M. Health benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in women: A review. Menopause International 2009;15(1):35-40.
Among the numerous positive effects of probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic carbohydrates observed in clinical studies–the majority of which, however, does not fulfil the criteria of pharmaceutical verification–some are of specific relevance to female health.
The present review addresses–besides some notes concerning the potential microbiota-hormone interactions–the first line with preventive and/or therapeutic applications of probiotic bacteria in order to maintain a balanced intestinal and urogenital flora, as well as in the case of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation (idiopathic slow-transit) and urogenital tract infections.
Further aspects are the promotion of bone health and osteoporosis prevention brought about by inulin, oligofructose and galactooligosaccharides. Some further conditions, namely anorexia nervosa, the premenstrual syndrome as well as prevention or alleviation of climacteric and menopausal disorders, for which the use of probiotics is rather hypothetical or is largely studied by alternative medicine practising physicians, are addressed briefly.
PMID: 19237621
Can J Gastro ’03: L. casei Shirota shown to benefit GI symptoms in patients with chronic constipation
Posted by library in Constipation on July 11, 2012
Koebnick C, Wagner I, Leitzmann P, et al. Probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota improves gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation. Can J Gastroenterol 2003; 17(11):655-659.
Background
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic beverage on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation.
Methods
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was conducted over a four-week period in patients with symptoms of chronic constipation (n=70). To all patients, 65 mL/day of a probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) or a sensorially identical placebo was administered. Patients completed a questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms, well-being and stool habits and underwent a medical examination weekly. Severity of constipation, flatulence and bloating was summarized into four categories (severe, moderately severe, mild and no symptoms).
Results
The consumption of LcS resulted in a significant improvement in self-reported severity of constipation and stool consistency, starting in the second week of the intervention phase (P<0.0001). Severe and moderately severe constipation was observed less in the LcS group. The occurrence and degree of flatulence or bloating sensation did not change. In the final examination, 89% of the LcS group and 56% of the placebo group showed a positive effect of their beverage on constipation (P=0.003). No adverse reactions were reported.
Conclusion
The results indicate a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with chronic constipation. The administration of probiotic foodstuffs may be recommended as an adjunctive therapy of chronic constipation.
Ped Int ’07: Compared to magnesium, L. casei rhamnosus effectively treated constipated children
Posted by library in Constipation, Infant & Child Health on July 11, 2012
Ling-Nan B, Mei-Hwei C, Yen-Hsuan N, et al. Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus Lcr35 in children with chronic constipation. Pediatr Int 2007;49:485-490.
Background:
The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics (Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus, Lcr35) for treating children with chronic constipation and to compare its effect with magnesium oxide (MgO) and placebo.
Methods:
This double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized study enrolled 45 children under 10 years old with chronic constipation. They were randomly assigned to receive Lcr35 (8 × 108 c.f.u./day; n = 18), MgO (50 mg/kg/day; n = 18), or placebo (n = 9) orally twice daily for 4 weeks. Lactulose use (1 mL/kg per day) was allowed when no stool passage for 3 days was noted. Glycerin enema was used only when no defecation was noted for >5 days or abdominal pain was suffered due to stool impaction. Bacterial cultures of stool were performed before and after treatment to evaluate the change of intestinal flora. Comparisons of the frequency of defecation, consistency of stool and the use of lactulose or enema during the period of treatment were made among the three groups.
Results:
The patients who received MgO or probiotics had a higher defecation frequency (P = 0.03), higher percentage of treatment success (P = 0.01), less use of glycerin enema (P = 0.04) and less hard stool (P = 0.01) than the placebo group. There was no significant difference between MgO and probiotic groups in the aforementioned comparisons. The first effect of MgO (second week) on constipation was slightly earlier than that of probiotic (second to third week). Abdominal pain occurred less frequently in the probiotic group than in both the MgO and the placebo groups (P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in the use of lactulose, episodes of fecal soiling, and change of appetite. No adverse effect was noted in probiotic and placebo groups. Only one patient in the MgO group suffered from mild diarrhea.
Conclusion:
Lcr35 was effective in treating children with chronic constipation. There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy between MgO and Lcr35, but less abdominal pain occurred when using Lcr35. Study with larger case number and longer follow up is needed in the future.
J Nutr Health Aging ’07: B. longum strains help normalize bowel movements in frail elderly
Posted by library in Constipation, Diarrhea/AAD, Senior Health on July 11, 2012
Pitkala K, Strandberg T, Soveri F, et al. Fermented cereal with specific bifidobacteria normalizes bowel movements in elderly nursing home residents. A randomized, controlled trial. J Nutr Health Aging 2007;11(4):305-311.
Objective
To assess how fermented oat drink with two selected Bifidobacterium longum strains influences bowel movements among elderly nursing home residents.
Design
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Setting
12 wards in two nursing homes in Finland.
Participants
209 residents.
Intervention
Wards were randomized to receive daily a fermented oat drink with 1) 109 CFU/day Bifidobacterium longum strains or 2) 109 CFU/day Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 or 3) without viable bacteria (placebo) for 7 months.
Measurements
Regularity of bowel movements (no movements or functioning) and consistency of stools (normal, soft or diarrhoea) were recorded for each resident on a daily basis.
Results
The fermented oat drinks were well taken by the subjects, compliance being 85%. The groups receiving active products had more frequent bowel movements than did the placebo group (B. longum group normal functioning 28.5% of follow-up days, B.lactis group 26.9%, and placebo group 20.0%, respectively). The differences between the B. longum and the placebo group (mean 7.1, 95% CI 2.3 – 11.9, p=0.004) and between the B.lactis group and the placebo (mean 6.7, 95% CI 2.5 – 10.9, p = 0.002) were significant even when diarrhoea and constipation in the 3 months prior to the study were used as covariates.
Conclusion
It is possible to normalize bowel movements in frail nursing home.
Min Gastro Diet ’11: Study reports probiotics help constipation in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Posted by library in Constipation, Senior Health on May 30, 2011
Cassani E, Privitera G, Pezzoli G, et al. Use of probiotics for the treatment of constipation in Parkinson’s disease patients. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2011;57(2):117-121.
AIM:
The aim of this paper was to assess the effects of milk fermented with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei Shirota on constipation in Parkinson’s disease patients. Constipation is a common secondary symptom in patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD), generally treated with dietary therapy, soluble fiber supplements and macrogol laxatives without sodium sulfate. There are no studies on the use of probiotics in the treatment of constipation in these patients. The effects of the administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota on gastrointestinal symptoms have been assessed in two randomized controlled trials on patients suffering from chronic constipation.
METHODS:
Forty PD patients suffering from constipation according to Rome III criteria were recruited. We compared the characteristic of intestinal function during two periods with different treatments: in the first week the patients treated constipation only with dietetic therapy; in the following 5 weeks the patients treated constipation not only with dietetic therapy, but also taking a 65 mL fermented milk drink containing 6.5×109 CFU of Lactobacilus casei Shirota daily.They completed a daily diary for 6 weeks, recording details related to their intestinal function.
RESULTS:
After probiotic intake we observed a statistically significant increase in the number of days per week in which stools were of normal consistency (P<0.01) and significant reductions in the number of days per week in which patients felt bloated (P<0.01), experienced abdominal pain (P<0.01) and sensation of incomplete emptying (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION:
This pilot study showed that a regular intake of probiotics can significantly improve stool consistency and bowel habits in Parkinson’s disease patients.
PMID: 21587143
Nutr J ’11: Pilot trial shows B. breve helps constipated children
Posted by library in Constipation, Infant & Child Health on May 30, 2011
Tabbers MM, de Milliano Roseboom MG, Benninga MA. Is Bifidobacterium breve effective in the treatment of childhood constipation? Results from a pilot study. Nutr J, 2011; 10:19.
BACKGROUND:
Probiotics are increasingly used in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Studies in constipated adults with a Bifidus yoghurt (containing Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus) showed a significant increase in defecation frequency.
The aim of this pilot study was to determine if Bifidobacterium breve is effective in the treatment of childhood constipation.
METHODS:
Children, 3 to 16 years of age, with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria were eligible for this study. During 4 weeks, children received one sachet of powder daily, containing 108- 1010 CFU Bifidobacterium breve. Furthermore, children were instructed to try to defecate on the toilet for 5-10 minutes after each meal and to complete a standardized bowel diary daily. The primary outcome measure was change in defecation frequency. Secondary outcome measures were stool consistency using the Bristol stool scale frequency of episodes of faecal incontinence, pain during defecation, frequency of abdominal pain, frequency of adverse effects (nausea, diarrhoea and bad taste), and frequency of intake of bisacodyl.
RESULTS:
Twenty children (75% male, mean age 7.4) were included in this pilot study. The defecation frequency per week significantly increased from 0.9 (0-2) at baseline to 4.9 (0-21) in week 4 (p < 0.01). The mean stool consistency score increased from 2.6 (2-4) at baseline to 3.5 (1-6) in week 4 (p = 0.03). The number of faecal incontinence episodes per week significantly decreased from 9.0 (0-35) at baseline to 1.5 (0-7) in week 4 (p < 0.01).
Abdominal pain episodes per week significantly decreased from 4.2 (0-7) at baseline to 1.9 (0-7) in week 4 (p = 0.01). No side effects occurred.
CONCLUSION:
Bifidobacterium breve is effective in increasing stool frequency in children with functional constipation. Furthermore it has a positive effect with respect to stool consistency, decreasing the number of faecal incontinence episodes and in diminishing abdominal pain. A randomized placebo controlled trial is required to confirm these data.
PMID: 21345213
J Clin Gastro ’10: Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium blend shown to relieve constipation in humans
Posted by library in Constipation on February 11, 2011
Del Piano M, Carmagnola S, et al. The use of probiotics in healthy volunteers with evacuation disorders and hard stools: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Gastroenterol, 2010 44 (1):S30-S34.
BACKGROUND: Evacuation disorders and hard stools are common in industrialized countries, affecting on average 12% to 17% of the adult healthy population at any age. Dietary supplementation with probiotic microorganisms may be useful in reducing the disorder.
METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 different probiotic blends, either mixed Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (LMG P-21021) and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 (DSM 16604) or Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis BS01 (LMG P-21384), in the management of evacuation disorders and intestinal discomfort.
In a period of 5 years (2003 to 2008), the study involved 300 healthy volunteers (151 males and 149 females; age 24 to 71 y) with evacuation disorders and hard stools. In particular, subjects were divided into 3 groups: 80 subjects in the group A received placebo, 110 subjects in the group B received mixed L. plantarum LP01 and B. breve BR03 (2.5 x 10 colony-forming units/d of each strain), and 110 subjects in the group C received B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 (5 x 10 colony-forming units/d) for 30 days.
At the beginning of the observational study, the healthy status of volunteers was evaluated by a complete, laboratory and ultrasound study of the abdomen. The physical examination was repeated after 15 and 30 days. In particular, the main troubles typically associated with evacuation disorders and hard stools as well as abdominal bloating were considered as parameters of interest. Exclusion criteria were items of gastrointestinal diseases and antibiotics intake.
RESULTS: Subjects treated with the mixed probiotic strains L. plantarum LP01 and B. breve BR03 or B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 reported a significant improvement in the number of weekly bowel movements and in the main troubles associated with evacuations, particularly consistency of feces and ease of expulsion. Discomfort items such as abdominal bloating and anal itching, burning, or pain also registered a relevant improvement in the active groups receiving probiotics.
CONCLUSIONS: The intake of an effective amount of mixed L. plantarum LP01 and B. breve BR03 or B. animalis subsp. lactis BS01 for 30 days is able to significantly relieve the evacuation disorders and hard stools, thus providing a useful tool for the management of such condition, which is particularly widespread in industrialized countries at any age.
PMID: 20697291
Nutr J ’07: Pilot trials shows benefit from probiotic blend in child constipation
Posted by library in Constipation, Infant & Child Health on September 25, 2010
Bekkali NLH, Bongers MEJ, et al. The role of a probiotics mixture in the treatment of childhood constipation: a pilot study. Nutrition Journal 2007, 6:17.
Background
Inconsistent data exist about the efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of constipation. Several studies in adults with constipation showed positive effects of probiotics on constipation. Inconsistent data exist regarding the effect of a single probiotic strain in constipated children. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effect of a mixture of probiotics containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the treatment of childhood constipation.
Methods
Children aged 4–16 years with constipation as defined by the Rome III criteria were eligible for the study. During a 4 week period, children received a daily mix of 4 × 109 colony forming units of a probiotic mixture (Ecologic®Relief) containing Bifidobacteria (B.) bifidum, B. infantis, B. longum, Lactobacilli (L.) casei, L. plantarum and L. rhamnosus. Primary outcome measures were frequency of bowel movements (BMs) per week and stool consistency. Secondary outcome measures were number of faecal incontinence episodes per week, abdominal pain and side effects.
Results
Twenty children, 50% male, median age 8 (range 4–16) were included.
The frequency of BMs per week increased from 2.0 (1.0–5.0) to 4.2 (0.0–16.0) in week 2 (p = 0.10) and 3.8 (2.1–7.0) in week 4 (p = 0.13). In 12 children presenting with <3 BMs/week, BMs per week increased significantly from 1.0 (0.0–2.0) to 3.0 (0.0–7.0) in week 2 (p = 0.01) and 3.0 (0.0–10.0) in week 4 (p = 0.01).
The stool consistency was reported as hard in 7 children at baseline, in 4 children at week 2 (p = 0.23) and in 6 children after 4 weeks of treatment (p = 1.00). A significant decrease in number of faecal incontinence episodes per week was found in the entire group: 4.0 (0.0–35.0) to 1.5 (0.0–14.0) in week 2 (p = 0.01) and 0.3 (0.0–7.0) in week 4 (p = 0.001).
The presence of abdominal pain decreased significantly from 45% to 25% in week 2 (p = 0.04) and 20% at week 4 (p = 0.006). No side effects were reported.
Conclusion
This pilot study shows that a mixture of probiotics, has positive effects on symptoms of constipation. To confirm these findings, a large randomised placebo controlled trial is required.