Fat-free milk as a therapeutic approach for constipation and the effect on serum motilin and ghrelin levels.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores the effects of fat-free milk supplementation on individuals with chronic constipation with regard to levels of motilin and acylated and des-acylated ghrelin (which affect intestinal motility) and compares them with data from control subjects given whole milk supplementation. METHODS: The investigation was designed according to the constipation severity test of individuals whose ages and body mass indexes were comparable. Individuals with mild constipation (n=10) were supplemented with 400 mL of fat-free milk daily; moderate constipation cases (n=10) were supplemented with 600 mL, and severe constipation cases (n=10) were supplemented with 800 mL of fat-free milk daily. Healthy control subjects were administered 400 mL of fat-free milk (group 1), which was followed a month later by administration of 400 mL of whole milk for 3 days (group 2). Blood samples were collected from the subjects before and after milk supplementation for hormone analyses. Motilin and acylated and des-acylated ghrelin were quantified with ELISA assay. RESULTS: Supplementation of fat-free milk significantly increased levels of circulating motilin and ghrelin in all groups, including the control subjects, but whole milk supplementation led to a decrease in these hormone levels in the control subjects. CONCLUSION: Drinking fat-free milk might be a new way of solving constipation.

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of thyroid nodules.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to determine the diagnostic role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differentiating of malignant and benign thyroid nodules by using fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology criteria as a reference standard. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the normal-looking thyroid parenchyma were also evaluated both in normal patients and in patients with nodules. METHODS: Between March 2007 and February 2008, 76 consecutive patients with ultrasound-diagnosed thyroid nodules and 20 healthy subjects underwent diffusion-weighted MR imaging by using single-shot spin echo, echo planar imaging. A total of 93 nodules were included in the study using the following b factors 100, 200, and 300 mm(2)/s. ADC values of thyroid nodules and normal area in all subjects were calculated and compared using suitable statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean ADC values for malignant and benign nodules were 0.96+/-0.65 x 10(-3) and 3.06+/-0.71 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s for b-100 factor, 0.56+/-0.43 x 10(-3) and 1.80+/-0.60 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s for b-200, and 0.30+/-0.20 x 10(-3) and 1.15+/-0.43 x 10(-3)mm(2)/s, for b-300, respectively. Mean ADC values of malignant nodules were lower than benign nodules. There were significant differences in ADC values between benign and malignant nodules. ADC values among normal-appearing thyroid parenchyma of patients and normal-appearing thyroid parenchyma of healthy subjects were insignificant at all b factors. CONCLUSION: Benign nodules have higher ADC values than malignant ones. DWI may be helpful in differentiating malign and benign thyroid nodules.