The presence of methane on lactulose breath test among irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) subjects is highly associated with the constipation-predominant form. Therefore, we set out to determine whether methane gas can alter small intestinal motor function. In dogs, small intestinal fistulae were created to permit measurement of intestinal transit. Using a radiolabel, we evaluated transit during in...

The effect of olsalazine on stool output and the transit of a solid radiolabelled meal through the stomach, small intestine and colon was studied in six patients with ulcerative colitis intolerant of sulphasalazine. Olsalazine 250 mg four times daily significantly accelerated gastric emptying (mean +/- SD; 45.3 +/- 24.2 min v 67.3 +/- 33.1 min, p less than 0.05), mouth to caecum transit time (2...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resistant starch (RS) on activated carbon-induced constipation in ICR mice. ICR mice were fed on diet containing 15% RS of type RS2, RS3 or RS4 for 9 days. Gastrointestinal transit, defecation time and intestinal tissue histopathological sections, as well as motilin (MTL), gastrin (Gas), endothelin (ET), somatostatin (SS), acetylcholineste...

Caffeine is suspected to affect gastrointestinal function. We therefore investigated whether supplementation of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CES) sports drink with 150 mg/l caffeine leads to alterations in gastrointestinal variables compared with a normal CES and water using a standardized rest-exercise-rest protocol. Ten well-trained subjects underwent a rest-cycling-rest protocol thre...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Gastrointestinal motility is regulated by enteric neural circuitry that includes enteric neurons and glia. Enteric glia monitor synaptic activity and exhibit responses to neurotransmitters that are encoded by intracellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling. What role evoked glial responses play in the neural regulation of gut motility is unknown. We tested how evoking Ca2+ signaling in...

BACKGROUND Diarrhoea in AIDS is associated with anorexia and weight loss. The importance of gastrointestinal transit in such symptoms has not been addressed. AIMS To assess jejunal to caecal transit times in subjects with AIDS related diarrhoea and weight loss and correlate these with measures of absorptive capacity and intestinal permeability. METHODS Jejunal to caecal transit times were a...

Chronic Constipation is a debilitating condition that is often associated with different abdominal problem. It can cause distress for the child and family and can result in emotional disturbance and family problem. Based on the current algorhytm, the treatment of chronic constipation consists of 4 important phases, 1: education, 2: disimpaction, 3: prevention of re-accumulation of feces and 4: ...