Welcome to Heagreen !!! +86 0394-8378080 ext. 977

ENG

Knowledge center
Excellent enterprise with sustainable development and intelligent innovation ability
Location: Home > Human Microecology
A clinical trial of xylo-oligosaccharide intake on severe constipation in pregnant women
Release time : 2021.07.29
Key words:Xylooligosaccharide, pregnant women, severe constipation

Pregnancy can be complicated by bowel irritation, constipation or diarrhea. Anderson reported constipation in 38% of English women during pregnancy. However, if drugs are prescribed to resolve constipation, it is necessary to assure that they do not affect the health of the expectant mother and fetus. Therefore, safe foods or food materials that prevent constipation are desirable for good pregnancy progression.


For this purpose, Suntory Co., Ltd. and Kishiwada City Hospital jointly conducted a clinical trial of the effect of xylooligosaccharide on constipation in pregnant women.


Subjects. The subjects were 30 constipated pregnant women at more than 23 wk' gestation who had not defecated for more than 5 consecutive days without laxatives. Patients suffering from complications were excluded.

Methods. The subjects were given 8g of syrup containing 4.2g XOS daily for 4 wk. The syrup contained 75% of a solid component consisting of 70% oligosaccharides (biose, triose, etc.) and 30% monosaccharides (mainly xylose), and was packed in identical tubes according to intake dosage. During the experimental period, the subjects main tained their regular diet, and their daily food intake was not restricted, although they refrained from taking laxatives and other oligosaccharide preparations.


Results. In all, 29 subjects completed the XOS administration schedule. During the XOS administration period, the symptoms of constipation decreased in all 29 subjects. The mean frequency of stools in the pre-treatment week were 1.1±0.4per week, increasing to 5.3±2.1 in the first week, 5.9±2.5 in the second week, 6.2±2.2 in the 3rd weekend, and 6.7±1.9in the 4th week. At the end of the study, 27 subjects could defecate spontaneously. The occurrence of very loose or very hard stools decreased and the stool consistency normalized. The stool color changed from dark to yellowish brown. No side effects were observed. XOS intake was highly effective for the reduction of severe constipation in pregnant women without adverse effects.


In conclusion, subjects with initial severe constipation were given 4.2g of XOS daily for 4 wk. In most cases, the frequency of stools increased and the associated symptoms were reduced during the XOS intake period. It is supposed that XOS normalizes bowel movements by regulating intestinal flora and increasing the intestinal contents. XOS is a safe and effective intestinal conditioner suitable for pregnant women.


Reference:

1.J Nutr Sci Vitamionl, 51, 445-448, 2005