Effect of red sugar on functional constipation in children compared to figs syrup; a randomized controlled trial study

Aim: The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of red sugar on functional constipation in children compared to figs syrup

Background: Treatment of constipation in childhood improves gastrointestinal function in the future and regular bowel habit. Red sugar is an effective ingredient in the treatment of constipation. Figs syrup is the other common natural substance used to treat constipation in children. Conducted studies on these two substances and similar herbal substances have shown their beneficial effects, but in a conducted study, it is reported that the effect of fig syrup is less than the chemical material

Methods: This Randomized Controlled Trial [RCT] Study was done in 2016. First, by performing an examination and filling out the identifying form of the patient's health status, mothers respond to the designed questionnaire. 30 children with constipation were treated with the usual drug, fig syrup, and 30 other children received red sugar. After a 4-week treatment period, the examination was conducted again and the questionnaire was filled out again. The changes following the intervention were measured and the status before and after treatment were compared as well. The analyses were performed using SPSS 20 [SPSS for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA]

Results: In this study, there was no significant difference between effects of red sugar and fig syrup in terms of the frequency of fecal excretion, and pain at the time of excretion [p = 0.264]. However, the fig syrup was more effective in reducing the anorexia [p < 0.001] and abdominal pain compared with fig syrup [p < 0.001]. Also fig syrup was more effective in inducing diarrhea [p = 0.019]

Conclusion: In general, treatment by red sugar has been effective in improving the functional characteristics of constipation in children; and did not show any complication and toxic effects. It is easily accessible at affordable prices to resolve childhood constipation

effect of oral consumption of probiotics in prevention of heart injury in a rat myocardial infarction model: a histopathological, hemodynamic and biochemical evaluation

Background: Despite the emerging evidence on beneficial effects of probiotics on the cardiovascular system, their impact on the management of ischemic heart diseases and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated

Methods: Four viable probiotics bacterial strains, including Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, at the concentrations of 2×106 colony-forming units/ml were orally administered to the rats daily for 14 days before the induction of infarct-like myocardial injury using isoproterenol. Subsequently, 24 h after myocardial injury, the right carotid artery and the left ventricle were catheterized for recording blood pressure and cardiac parameters. At the end of the experiment, the heart was removed for the evaluation of histopathological and biochemical parameters, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] assay

Results: The induction of acute myocardial injury resulted in significant [P

Conclusion: This study shows that viable probiotics have a cardioprotective effect on infarct-like myocardial injury through suppressing TNF-alpha and oxidative stress damage in a rat model. Probiotic supplements may be used as a new option for prophylaxis in patients at the risk of ischemic heart disease in future

Effects of Probiotics on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several clinical trials have revealed various advantages for probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on gut microbiota in patients with this disease. METHODS: A total of 305 participants were divided into three groups; group A (IBD patients receiving probiotic yogurt; n=105), group B (IBD patients receiving placebo; n=105), and control group (healthy individuals receiving probiotic yogurt; n=95). Stool samples were collected both before and after 8 weeks of intervention; and population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in the stool specimens was measured by Taqman real-time PCR method. ': By the end of the intervention, no significant variations in the mean weight and body mass index were observed between three groups (p>0.05). However, the mean numbers of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides in group A were significantly increased compared to group B (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.01, respectively). There were also significant differences in the mean numbers of either of three bacteria between group A and the healthy control group; however, these differences between two groups were observed both at baseline and the end of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of probiotic yogurt by patients with IBD may help to improve intestinal function by increasing the number of probiotic bacteria in the intestine and colon. However, many more studies are required in order to prove the concept.

Probiotic yogurt affects Pro- and anti-inflammatory factors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is an irregular response of immune system accompanied with different inflammatory manifestations including alterations in cytokines. Probiotics are non-pathogenic organisms with probable effects in various conditions such as inflammation. The present study hypothesized whether oral intake of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus in form of probiotic yogurt may represent an immunomodulatory effect in IBD patients. Overally, 210 patients in remission phase and 95 healthy people were recruited. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of either 250 grams of probiotic yogurt [PI] or 250 grams of plain yogurt [PC] daily for 8 weeks. The healthy control group [HG] also received probiotic yogurt as noted. The serum levels of cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-10 and CRP levels were measured at baseline and at termination time. A significant difference was observed between intervention groups of PI and PC with HG group [p < 0.05]. After the intervention, serum levels of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and CRP were significantly decreased in PI group compared to their baseline values and intervention groups. The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 increased significantly after the intervention compared to baseline values and PC levels [all p-values < 0.05]. Intestinal homeostasis is a balance between pro and anti-inflammatory responses of intestinal immunocytes and could be maintained by probiotics