High-fat diet and constipation

Background Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints with a highly prevalent and is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting health-related quality of life. The relationship between constipation and an excessive intake of high-fat diet (HFD) has been speculated. In addition, some anti-oxidants have been reported to improve the state of constipation. However, the mechanism behind these phenomena is not clear yet. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate whether HFD causes constipation and to clarify the mechanism behind this phenomenon, focusing on the involvement of oxidative stress. Method Male 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups; feeding HFD and normal diet. Fecal pellet numbers, fecal pellet water content and colon transit time were measured to evaluate whether mice are in the state of constipation. Colonic malondialdehyde (MDA) density was measured as oxidative stress marker. Result Compared to mice feeding normal diet, fecal pellet numbers were less, colon transit time was longer, and the MDA density was higher in HFD feeding mice. Conclusion HFD might cause constipation via oxidative stress dependent mechanism, and the therapeutic strategy targeting oxidative stress may be effective.