High-Fat Diet Causes Constipation in Mice via Decreasing Colonic Mucus

Rieko Mukai, Osamu Handa, Yuji Naito, Shun Takayama, Yosuke Suyama, Chihiro Ushiroda, Atsushi Majima, Yasuko Hirai, Katsura Mizushima, Tetsuya Okayama, Kazuhiro Katada, Kazuhiro Kamada, Kazuhiko Uchiyama, Takeshi Ishikawa, Tomohisa Takagi, Yoshito Itoh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Although the causes of constipation are varied, dietary habits have a significant influence. Excessive fat intake is suggested as one of the main causes of constipation; however, the exact mechanism is unknown. Aims: To investigate whether a high-fat diet (HFD) causes constipation in mice and to clarify the underlying mechanism, focusing on the amount of colonic mucus. Methods: Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: mice fed with HFD and those with normal chow diet (NCD). Fecal weight, water content, total gastrointestinal transit time, and colon transit time were measured to determine whether the mice were constipated. The colonic mucus was evaluated by immunostaining and quantified by spectrometry. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test as a marker for oxidative stress. Results: Compared to the NCD group, the weight of feces was less in the HFD group. In the functional experiment, the total gastrointestinal transit time and colon transit time were longer in the HFD group. Furthermore, HFD significantly reduced the amount of colonic mucus. In addition, the reduction in colonic mucus caused by surfactant resulted in constipation in the NCD group. Conclusions: HFD causes constipation with delayed colon transit time possibly via the reduction in colonic mucus in mice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2246-2253
Number of pages8
JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
Volume65
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-08-2020
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology

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