1. Academic Validation
  2. Lactitol Alleviates Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Sprague Dawley Rats by Regulating Serotonin, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Gut Microbiota

Lactitol Alleviates Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Sprague Dawley Rats by Regulating Serotonin, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Gut Microbiota

  • Foods. 2024 Jul 3;13(13):2128. doi: 10.3390/foods13132128.
Joo Hyun Jang 1 2 Sang Min Kim 1 2 Hyung Joo Suh 1 2 Minchul Gim 3 Hoyeon Shin 3 Hyunsook Jang 3 Hyeon-Son Choi 4 Sung Hee Han 5 Yeok Boo Chang 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
  • 2 Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Department of Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
  • 3 LOTTE R&D Center, Seoul 07594, Republic of Korea.
  • 4 Department of Food and Nutrition, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea.
  • 5 Institute of Human Behavior and Genetics, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of lactitol on constipation caused by loperamide in Sprague Dawley rats, with a particular emphasis on its underlying mechanisms and potential health advantages. The lactitol effectively improved fecal parameters, intestinal tissue structure, and the expression of constipation-related gene expression and proteins. Lactitol alleviated fecal weight and water content altered by loperamide and enhanced gastrointestinal transit. The administration also restored mucosal and muscular layer thickness. Mechanistically, lactitol upregulated the mRNA expression and/or protein levels of mucins (MUC2 and MUC4), occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens, indicating improved intestinal barrier function. Lactitol positively regulated the composition of cecal microbiota, leading to an increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Romboutsia. Conversely, lactitol decreased the relative abundance of Prevotella, Aerococcus, Muribaculum, Blautia, and Ruminococcus. This study demonstrated the potential of lactitol to relieve constipation by modulating the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that lactitol is an alternative to traditional laxatives and has potential as a health-promoting food sweetener.

Keywords

animals; constipation; gastrointestinal transit; gut microbiota; lactitol; loperamide.

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