Effects of probiotics on loperamide-induced constipation in rats

Constipation, a common health problem, causes discomfort and affects quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of probiotics on loperamide (LP)-induced constipation in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, a well-established animal model of spastic constipation. In total, 100 male SD rats (age, 8 weeks; Japan SLC, Inc., Hamamatsu, Japan) were used in the experiments following a 12-day acclimatisation period. They were randomly divided into two treatment groups (groups 1 and 2) of 50 rats each. Spastic constipation was induced via oral administration of LP (3 mg/kg) for 6 days 1 hour before the administration of each test compound. Similarly, a probiotics solution (4 ml/kg body weight) was orally administered to the rats once a day for 6 days in group 2. In group 1, phosphate buffer solution was orally administered once a day for 6 days 1 hour after each LP administration. The changes in body weight, faecal parameters, short-chain fatty acid concentration in faeces, and faecal immunoglobulin (Ig)-A concentration were recorded. In the present study, the oral administration of probiotics improved faecal parameters, short-chain fatty acid concentration in faeces, and faecal IgA concentration. Our results indicate that probiotics increase the levels of intestinal short-chain fatty acids, especially butyric acid, thereby improving constipation and intestinal immunity.

80 Effects of miscanthus fiber on nutrient digestibility and fecal metabolites of adult dogs

Dietary fiber is an important component of pet food that helps to promote colonocyte health by favoring saccharolytic fermentation and short-chain fatty acid production in addition to modulating gut microbiota and aiding laxation. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of miscanthus grass fiber, prebiotic fiber blends, and traditional dietary fiber sources on apparent total tract digestibility, fecal metabolites, and gastrointestinal intolerance in adult canines. Animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Twelve female adult beagles were randomly assigned to one of six treatments containing cellulose, beet pulp, miscanthus fiber, or a blend of miscanthus fiber and tomato pomace, miscanthus fiber and resistant starch, or miscanthus fiber and fructooligosaccharide in a replicated 6x6 Latin square design. All treatment diets were formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profile (2018). The dogs received each treatment for 21 d, with 17 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total and fresh fecal collection. No difference in fecal score was observed (P < 0.05). Dogs fed the beet pulp diet had the highest organic matter digestibility and total dietary fiber digestibility (P < 0.05) when compared to all other treatments. Crude protein digestibility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for the cellulose, miscanthus fiber, and miscanthus and resistant starch blend than the beet pulp diet. Fecal total short-chain fatty acid concentration was greatest for beet pulp and lowest for the cellulose treatment (P < 0.05) with the miscanthus fiber and miscanthus fiber blends with resistant starch, fructooligosaccharide, and tomato pomace being intermediate. No difference was observed in fecal total branched-chain fatty acid concentration (P < 0.05). The data suggest that miscanthus fiber is an adequate and functional source of fiber in extruded canine diets, and comparable to the traditional fiber source, cellulose.