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Effects of β-(1,3-1,6)-D-glucan on irritable bowel syndrome-related colonic hypersensitivity
Teita Asano1, Ken-ichiro Tanaka, Shintaro Suemasu
1Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan.
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.
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