Effects of Brewer's yeast cell wall on constipation and defecation in experimentally constipated rats

• Published in: Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry biotechnology, and biochemistry, 2001-04, Vol.65 (4), p.774-780
• Main Authors: Nakamura, T. (Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd., Takasaki, Gunma (Japan). Applied Bioresearch Center), Agata, K, Mizutani, M, Iino, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antidiarrheals - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; BREWERS' YEAST; Cathartics - pharmacology; Cell Wall - chemistry; CELL WALLS; constipation; Constipation - chemically induced; Constipation - drug therapy; DEFAECATION; defecation; Defecation - drug effects; Diet; Dietary Fiber; DIETARY FIBRES; DIGESTIVE DISORDERS; Eating - drug effects; Feces - chemistry; FEED INTAKE; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; INTESTINES; LABORATORY ANIMALS; Loperamide - pharmacology; rat; RATS; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - chemistry; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; VOLATILE FATTY ACIDS; Weight Gain - drug effects; yeast cell wall
• ISSN: 0916-8451; 1347-6947
• DOI: 10.1271/bbb.65.774

Brewer's yeast cell wall (BYC) was tested on constipated male Sprague-Dawley rats that had been induced by loperamide (2 mg/kg of body weight). The preventive effect of BYC on constipation was examined and compared with that of a non-fiber diet (NF) as the control. The dose-response of BYC and the effect on defecation by constipated experimental rats were also compared with the characteristics of cellulose diet (CE) group which served as a control. Defecation was observed to be greater by the rats fed with BYC than by those fed with NF or CE. The fecal water content and level of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the cecal contents were likewise higher in the rats fed with BYC. These results indicate that the administration of BYC was effective for improving defecation and other parameters related to defecation. These favorable effects of BYC supplemented to the diet are attributed to the fermentation ability, water holding capacity and swelling force in the large intestine.