Elucidation of the defecation mechanism involving intestinal fluid and mucus secretion: Classification and improvement of constipation based on genetic factors

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11804
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59040:Nutrition science and health science-related
• Research Institution: Jin-ai University
• Principal Investigator: URAMOTO HIROMI 仁愛大学, 人間生活学部, 教授 (50390696)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: CFTR / 便秘 / 汗塩分濃度 / 大豆製品 / ゲニステイン

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We classified the subjects according to CFTR function using salt concentration in sweat (sweat concentration) as an indicator, and examined daily life factors that inhibit the development of constipation in subjects with high salt concentration in sweat (poor function). Constipation was suppressed in subjects with high genistein intake resulting from consuming soy products and products with high total dietary fiber. Furthermore, habitual intake of foods containing lactic acid bacteria was associated with suppression of constipation. However, there was no effect on subjects with normal function with low salt concentration in sweat.
Furthermore, we found that constipation (i.e., a decrease in fecal moisture content) can be induced by feeding CFTR inhibitors to mice. We also examined the effect of dietary fiber (DF) intake on the induction of constipation and found that the effect of the inhibitors could only be observed in the DF-deficient group.

Free Research Field

細胞生理学　食品機能学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究結果は、便秘になり易い人は遺伝的背景の一つとしてCFTR遺伝子多型による軽度のCFTR機能低下があり、便秘の治療をする上で個々人のCFTR機能を知ることが有益であることを示している。よって、汗中塩分濃度を測定しCFTR機能が劣っていることによる便秘なのかを判断することでその後の治療に役立ち、また、病院へ行くほど重篤な症状でない場合は、CFTR機能低下者における日常生活の中での便秘発症に影響する要因等の特徴を反映した質問票を将来的に作成することで、自己判断でCFTR機能を推測し、改善が期待できる習慣を活用することでコントロールし易くなると考えられる。