ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Constipation is a frequent complaint and the combination of a prebiotic and probiotics could have a potentially synergic effect on the intestinal transit. The present study therefore aims to investigate the combination of polydextrose (Litesse), L. acidophilus NCFM® and B. lactis HN019 in a yogurt on intestinal transit in subjects who suffer from constipation. METHODS: Patients with constipation were randomly divided into two groups, Control Group (CG) and Treatment Group (TG), and had to eat 180 ml of unflavored yogurt every morning for 14 days. Those in the CG received only yogurt, while the TG received yogurt containing polydextrose, L. acidophilus NCFM (ATCC 700396) and B. lactis HN019 (AGAL NM97/09513). RESULTS: Favourable clinical response was assessed since Agachan score had a significant reduction at the end of the study in both groups and tended to be better in the TG. The subjects in the treatment group also had a shorter transit time at the end of the intervention compared to the control group (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The product containing yogurt with polydextrose, B. lactis HN019 and L. acidophilus NCFM® significantly shortened colonic transit time after two weeks in the TG compared to CG and may be an option for treatment of constipation.
Subject(s)
Bifidobacterium , Constipation/therapy , Glucans/administration & dosage , Lactobacillus acidophilus , Yogurt/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Body Mass Index , Chronic Disease , Double-Blind Method , Female , Glucans/analysis , Humans , Intestines/microbiology , Male , Middle Aged , Probiotics/administration & dosage , Probiotics/analysis , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of computerized manometry (CM) to identify pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) spasm during tracheoesophageal speech. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical, controlled study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Intraluminal pressures of the PES were collected in 12 tracheoesophageal speakers without spasm and 8 tracheoesophageal speakers with PES spasm before and after localized injection of botulinum toxin to the PES. All subjects underwent voice analysis and videofluoroscopy in addition to CM before and after treatment. RESULTS: All tracheoesophageal speakers with PES spasm presented with mean intraluminal pressures greater than 16 mmHg (mean, 25.36 mmHg). In contrast, mean intraluminal pressures of subjects without spasm was 11.76 mmHg (P<0.05). The negative predictive value associated with the use of 16 mmHg as a threshold value for spasm was 100%. CONCLUSION: CM is a clinically useful tool to aid in speech rehabilitation for tracheoesophageal speakers. Intraluminal pressures of greater than 16 mmHg was highly predictive for PES spasm.
