Use of a composition for the preparation of a product for improving constipation

Abstract

The application discloses application of a composition in preparation of a product for improving constipation, and belongs to the technical field of food. The application adopts OPO, osteopontin and specific oligosaccharides in combination, promotes absorption and utilization of functional components such as minerals and fatty acids through interaction between the components, improves constipation of infants, regulates basal energy intake and intestinal health, and promotes growth and development of the infants.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of food technology, and particularly relates to application of a composition in preparing a product for improving constipation. Background Art

[0002] The intestine is not only the body's digestive and absorptive organ, but also the largest immune organ in the human body. Infants and young children are at a special stage of growth and development, and their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Therefore, promoting intestinal health in infants and young children is particularly important. Functional constipation is a common functional gastrointestinal disease in infants and young children. The main symptoms include difficulty in defecation, infrequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and decreased appetite. If constipation persists for a long time, or even hemorrhoids or rectal prolapse occurs, fecal incontinence and overflowing stool may occur in the later stages, and sometimes combined with urinary system symptoms such as increased urination frequency and overflowing urine.

[0003] The causes of functional constipation in infants and young children may be diverse, such as dietary factors, including low-fiber diet, low-calorie diet, and food with too low water content; food allergies, especially milk protein allergies, are also related to functional constipation in infants and young children; at the same time, it also includes psychological factors, abnormal bowel habits, family environment factors, school environment factors, genetic factors, etc.

[0004] Dietary factors are a key factor in the development of functional constipation in infants and young children. For example, a low-fiber diet, while the fiber in food cannot be digested and absorbed by the digestive tract, can partially be broken down by bacterial fermentation in the intestines, producing short-chain fatty acids, nitrogen, CO2, and methane, which stimulate and enhance intestinal motility. Undigested fiber can increase stool volume, retain water, soften stool, shorten its transit time in the intestines, reduce pressure in the colon, and facilitate its transport through the intestines. However, consuming too little water can cause stool to become too dry and hard, making it more difficult to transport through the intestines, leading to functional constipation. Constipated infants and young children also have lower protein, fat, and iron intake than normal infants and young children. This may be because the diet does not provide enough energy to supply the body, leading to intestinal dysfunction, weakened intestinal motility, and reduced digestive ability. At the same time, constipation aggravates the body's insufficient energy intake, creating a vicious cycle.

[0005] In addition, food allergies and intestinal microecology also have a significant impact on infant constipation. A healthy intestinal microecological environment can help shorten colon transit time in patients with functional constipation. This may be related to the breakdown of intestinal contents by probiotics to produce lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids. These substances can act on intestinal nerves, stimulate intestinal peristalsis, and promote defecation.

[0006] In recent years, researchers have found that sn-2 palmitate has an impact on the composition of intestinal flora, and the types of intestinal flora are closely related to intestinal health. The palmitic acid of natural vegetable oil is mostly located at the Sn-1,3 position of triglyceride, while unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid are located at the sn-2 position. Such structured triglycerides are not conducive to the growth of infants and can cause mineral loss in infants, as well as constipation, abdominal pain, and intestinal blockage in infants. OPO structured lipids (1,3-dioleic acid-2-palmitic acid triglyceride) are the main triglycerides in breast milk, containing 17%-25% palmitic acid, more than 40% of which is esterified at the sn-2 position. Adding OPO can improve these conditions.

[0007] Studies (Journal articles: "Feeding premature newborn infants palmitic acid in amounts and stereoisomeric position similar to that of human milk: Effects on fat and mineral balance", Carnielli, V P et al., The American journal of clinical nutrition, 1995, pp. 1037-1042; "The clinical effect of a new infant formula interminfants with constipation: a double-blind, randomized cross-over trial", Bongers M E J et al., Nutrition Journal, 2007, pp. 8-14) have shown that OPO has the effects of enhancing fatty acid and mineral absorption, reducing constipation, increasing bone strength, and reducing inflammation. Compared with infants consuming ordinary infant formula, infants consuming high-OPO-content formula have higher bone mineral absorption rates, lower stool hardness, and less saponification of fatty acids in stool, similar to breastfed infants. The mechanism may be that: 1) OPO is easily digested by infants and can promote the absorption of energy substances such as fatty acids by the body; 2) OPO can promote the absorption of fat by infants; 3) OPO can promote the absorption of minerals (K, Na, Al, P, Ca, Mg) and vitamins necessary for the growth of infants, promote the normal growth of the bones and brain of infants, and maintain the excitation of neuromuscular, the conduction of nerve impulses, and the normal beating of the heart.

[0008] In addition, osteopontin (OPN, also known as lactopontin in breast milk, LPN) is a multifunctional extracellular matrix protein that is expressed in a variety of tissues and cells and participates in important physiological functions of the human body. OPN, expressed by intestinal epithelial cells and activated immune cells in the intestine, can affect the occurrence and development of intestinal-related inflammatory diseases by inhibiting cell apoptosis, promoting Th1 immune responses, and mediating cell survival. In addition, OPN has the function of regulating the balance of intestinal flora and maintaining the stability of intestinal barrier function in a healthy intestine (Journal article: "The role of osteopontin in regulating intestinal inflammation and maintaining intestinal homeostasis", Shi Xuan et al., "Food Research and Development", 2023, Vol. 44, No. 7).

[0009] Although functional oligosaccharides cannot be degraded by digestive enzymes, they can selectively promote the proliferation of intestinal probiotics, promote the accumulation of intestinal organic acids (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid), improve intestinal absorption of substances, and improve constipation.

[0010] Although prior art does not disclose that osteopontin can improve constipation, it has the function of regulating intestinal health and may have an improving effect on constipation. Based on the characteristic of OPO that promotes the absorption of other functional ingredients, the present invention uses OPO, osteopontin and oligosaccharides in combination to study whether the combination of different ingredients has a mutually promoting effect on improving constipation, as well as the impact of the ratio of each component, in order to realize the application of the composition in the preparation of products for improving constipation. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art and provides the use of a composition in the preparation of a product for alleviating constipation. The present invention utilizes a combination of OPO, osteopontin, and specific oligosaccharides. Through interaction between these components, the composition promotes the absorption and utilization of functional ingredients such as minerals and fatty acids, thereby alleviating constipation in infants and young children, regulating matrix energy intake and intestinal health, and promoting growth and development in infants and young children.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides use of a composition in preparing a product for improving constipation, wherein the composition comprises OPO, osteopontin, and oligosaccharides in a mass ratio of 100-200:0.5-20:100.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the improving constipation includes improving intestinal motility, bowel movement frequency, bowel movement volume, stool moisture or stool softness.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the composition also has the effect of promoting the absorption of minerals and fatty acids.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the mineral comprises calcium.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the mass ratio of OPO, osteopontin and oligosaccharide is 100-200:0.5-10:100.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the oligosaccharide is galacto-oligosaccharide and 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) in a mass ratio of 1-2:1.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the composition further comprises at least one of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and functional additives.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the functional additive includes at least one of folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, inositol, taurine, L-carnitine, and nucleotides.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the unsaturated fatty acid includes at least one of docosahexaenoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, linolenic acid, and α-linolenic acid.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the vitamins include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K1, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B 12 , vitamin C and at least one of them.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the minerals include at least one of sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, iodine, chlorine, and selenium.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a product for improving constipation, comprising the aforementioned composition.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the product is a food or a medicine.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the product includes nutritional supplements, solid beverages, and milk powder.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0027] 1. The present invention uses OPO, osteopontin and specific oligosaccharides in combination. Through the interaction between the components, it promotes the absorption and utilization of functional ingredients such as minerals and fatty acids, improves infant constipation, regulates matrix energy intake and intestinal health, and promotes the growth and development of infants.

[0028] 2. The composition of the present invention can significantly promote the absorption of calcium and fatty acids, improve intestinal motility and alleviate constipation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments, and the advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer as the description proceeds. However, these embodiments are merely exemplary and do not constitute any limitation to the scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the details and forms of the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and replacements fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It is worth noting that the raw materials used in the present invention are all common commercially available products, and their sources are not specifically limited.

[0031] 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO): Model InFat TM 7860, purchased from AAK-SE;

[0032] Osteopontin (OPN): Model OPN-10, purchased from Arla Foods Ingredients;

[0033] Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS): Model GOS was purchased from Royal FrieslandCampina, The Netherlands; 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) and 3'-fucosyllactose (3'-FL) were purchased from Glycom.

[0034] Preparation of compositions of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5

[0035] The composition formulas of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5 are shown in Table 1:

[0036] Table 1

[0037]

[0038] Weigh the raw materials according to the formula in Table 1 and mix them evenly to obtain the corresponding composition.

[0039] Test example laxative experiment

[0040] 1. Animal grouping and drug administration:

[0041] Animals: 4-week-old male C56BL / 6 mice weighing 18-20 g were provided by Shanghai Slake Laboratory Animal Co., Ltd., license number: SCXK(Shanghai)2017-0005.

[0042] Grouping and Dosing: One hundred four-week-old male C56BL / 6 mice were acclimated for one week (temperature 23±2°C, humidity 50±2%, 12-hour light-dark cycle). They were randomly divided into 10 groups, with 10 mice in each group. The control and model groups were gavage-administered with an equal volume of normal saline. The Example 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-5 groups were gavage-administered with the corresponding composition at a dose of 400 mg / kg daily for four consecutive weeks.

[0043] 2. Laxative experiment: 5 mice were taken from each group, and the 24h defecation volume was measured on the 0th and 27th days of administration (8 o'clock and 18 o'clock were measured once, and the total mass was recorded). After the last administration and fasting without drinking for 16h, the model group, Example 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-5 groups were gavaged with loperamide hydrochloride suspension (10mg / kg) to replicate the acute constipation mouse model, and the control group was not treated. After 30min, the control group and model group mice were gavaged with 0.4mL of Chinese ink, and the remaining groups of mice were gavaged with 0.4mL of Chinese ink containing the composition (the composition content was 400mg / kg). Starting from gavage with Chinese ink, the time of the first black stool of each group of mice and the number of stool particles and the quality of black stool within 6h were recorded.

[0044] 3. Small Intestinal Propulsion Experiment: Five mice were selected from each group. After the last dose and fasting for 16 hours, the model group, Examples 1-3, and Comparative Examples 1-5 groups were gavaged with a 10 mg / kg loperamide hydrochloride suspension to replicate an acute constipation mouse model. The control group received no treatment. 30 minutes later, the control and model group mice were gavaged with 0.4 mL of Chinese ink, while the remaining groups of mice were gavaged with 0.4 mL of Chinese ink containing the composition (composition content: 400 mg / kg). 30 minutes after gavage with Chinese ink, the eyeballs were enucleated to collect blood, and the mice were sacrificed. The mesentery was excised, and the intestinal tract from the pylorus to the ileocecal region was cut. The small intestine was gently pulled into a straight line, and the intestinal length was measured to obtain the total small intestine length. The distance from the pylorus to the leading edge of the Chinese ink was the Chinese ink propulsion length, and the Chinese ink propulsion rate was calculated. Chinese ink propulsion rate (%) = Chinese ink propulsion length (cm) / total small intestine length (cm) × 100%.

[0045] 4. Detection of mouse blood calcium and free fatty acids: The mouse blood samples obtained in the small intestine propulsion experiment were centrifuged at 3000 r / min for 15 min, and the serum was collected and stored in separate tubes at -80°C. The calcium content was detected using a serum calcium detection kit (Senbega Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), and the free fatty acid (FFA) content kit (Shanghai Yaji Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) was used to detect the free fatty acid content in the serum.

[0046] The experimental results are shown in Table 2.

[0047] Table 2 Laxative test results

[0048]

[0049] Note: #indicates P < 0.05 compared with the control group; ## =Indicates P < 0.01 compared with the control group; *Indicates P < 0.05 compared with the model group; *Indicates P < 0.01 compared with the model group.

[0050] As can be seen from Table 2, there was no significant difference in the defecation volume of Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5 before modeling, compared with the control group and the model group. However, after modeling, the defecation behavior of Examples 1-3 was closer to that of the control group and significantly different from that of the model group, while the defecation behavior of Comparative Examples 1-5 was closer to that of the model group and significantly different from that of the control group.

[0051] In addition, there are obvious differences in defecation behavior, ink propulsion rate, serum calcium content and free fatty acids between Examples 1-3 and Comparative Examples 1-5 after modeling. Compared with Comparative Examples 1-5, Examples 1-3 can significantly shorten the time to first black stool excretion, significantly increase the amount of black stool excretion, ink propulsion rate and serum calcium content and free fatty acid content, that is, Examples 1-3 can significantly promote the absorption of calcium and fatty acids, improve intestinal motility, and improve constipation.

[0052] The above data demonstrate that the dosage relationship between OPO, osteopontin, and oligosaccharides, as well as the type of oligosaccharide, significantly impacts calcium and fatty acid absorption, intestinal motility, and constipation. The excessive amount of osteopontin used in Comparative Example 1, the interchange of the OPO and oligosaccharide ratios in Comparative Example 2, the substitution of 2'-fucosyllactose with 3'-fucosyllactose in Comparative Example 3, and the exclusive use of galacto-oligosaccharides or 2'-fucosyllactose as oligosaccharides in Comparative Examples 4 and 5 all significantly diminished these effects.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to the technical means disclosed above, but also includes technical solutions composed of any combination of the above technical features. The above is a specific embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and such improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A product for improving constipation and promoting the absorption of minerals and fatty acids, characterized in that: Composed of OPO, osteopontin and oligosaccharides in a mass ratio of 140:2.5:100, wherein the oligosaccharides are galacto-oligosaccharides and 2'-fucosyllactose in a mass ratio of 1.5:1; or The invention is composed of OPO, osteopontin and oligosaccharide in a mass ratio of 200:10:100, wherein the oligosaccharide is galacto-oligosaccharide and 2'-fucosyllactose in a mass ratio of 1:

1.

2. The product according to claim 1, characterized in that The product is food or medicine.

3. The product according to claim 1, characterized in that The products include nutritional supplements, solid beverages, and milk powder.

4. Use of the product according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in the preparation of a product for improving constipation and fatty acid absorption.

5. The use according to claim 4, characterized in that The improvement of constipation includes improving intestinal motility, bowel movement frequency, bowel movement volume, stool moisture or stool softness.

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