Effects of β-(1,3-1,6)-d-glucan on irritable bowel syndrome-related colonic hypersensitivity

Teita Asano, Ken ichiro Tanaka, Shintaro Suemasu, Tomoaki Ishihara, Kayoko Tahara, Toshio Suzuki, Hidekazu Suzuki, Shin Fukudo, Tohru Mizushima

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)444-449
Number of pages6
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume420
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012 Apr 6
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Fecal pellet output
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Visceral pain response
  • β-Glucan

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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