Germinated Barley Foodstuff Improves Constipation Induced by Loperamide in Rats

Germinated barley foodstuff improves constipation induced by loperamide in rats.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1998 Sep;62(9):1788-90.
Kanauchi O, Hitomi Y, Agata K, Nakamura T, Fushiki T.
Applied Bioresearch Center, Corporate Research and Development Division Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd., Gunma, Japan.

The effects of germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) derived from the aleurone and scutellum fractions of germinated barley low-lignified hemicellulose were examined in Sprague-Dawley rats with constipation induced by loperamide by addition to the diet (2 mg/kg body weight). Bowel movements were higher in the GBF-fed rats than in the cellulose-fed rats used as a control. Fecal water content was also higher in the GBF-fed rats. The concentration of short chain fatty acids in cecal content, especially butyrate, was significantly higher in the GBF-fed rats than in the cellulose-fed rats. These findings suggested that GBF helps normalize defecation not only in diarrhea but also constipation.