Influence of Lactitol and Psyllium on Bowel Function in Constipated Indian Volunteers: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Psyllium and lactitol have been reported to increase fecal volume, moisture content and bowel movement frequency (BMF). However, the benefits of their combined use on constipation has not been examined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 4-week intervention with lactitol and/or psyllium on bowel function in constipated volunteers. Adults (N = 172) who were diagnosed with functional constipation per Rome III criteria were randomized to four treatment groups: 10 g lactitol, 3.5 g psyllium, a combination of 10 g lactitol and 3.5 g psyllium, or placebo. The primary endpoint was change in BMF from Day 0 to 28 as compared to placebo. Secondary endpoints were assessed by inventories, including stool consistency, patient assessment of constipation symptoms and quality of life, relief of constipation, 24-h food recall, physical activity, product satisfaction and adverse events (AE). BMF increased by 3.0 BMs with lactitol, by 2.9 with psyllium, and by 3.1 with the combination, but was not different from placebo (3.7 BMs). Other clinical endpoints were similar between treatments. No serious AEs were reported. In conclusion, this study showed a similar effect on relief of constipation in all treatment groups. The treatments that were administered to the volunteers were well tolerated.

Prospective study of profile of hepatic osteodystrophy in patients with non-choleastatic liver cirrhosis and impact of bisphosphonate supplementation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with liver cirrhosis are more prone to develop reduced bone mineral density (BMD), i.e. hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD). There are few data on the prevalence of HOD in the Indian population and its treatment. We aimed to determine the prevalence of HOD, factors associated with it and the impact of bisphosphonates on BMD in patients with liver cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled. Patients with chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism and those on steroids were excluded. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were defined according to WHO criteria. Ibandronic acid 150 mg per day orally for six months was given to patients with osteoporosis and DEXA scan repeated. RESULTS: A total of 215 patients (males 179, 83%) with a mean age of 50.9 ± 11 years were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of HOD was found to be 66% (142/215). On multivariate analysis BMI, TLC, total serum bilirubin and transient elastography values were found to be independently associated with HOD. All the patients with osteoporosis (n = 47) were treated with ibandronic acid as per protocol. Treated patients had significant improvement in DEXA scans after six months as compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: HOD was seen in two-thirds of patients with liver cirrhosis. Higher liver stiffness as determined by transient elastography is significantly associated with HOD. Severity scores of liver disease (CTP and MELD) and etiology of liver cirrhosis did not determine HOD. Ibandronic acid is a safe drug that showed significant improvement in BMD in patients with liver disease along with osteoporosis.

Gastrointestinal toxicity due to bitter bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria)--a report of 15 cases.

Traditional medicine is widely practiced in tropical countries. Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) fruit juice is advocated as a part of complementary and alternative medicine. If the bottle gourd juice becomes bitter it is considered toxic. We report 15 patients, who developed toxicity due to drinking bitter bottle gourd juice. Patients presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, hematemesis, diarrhea and hypotension within 15 min to 6-h after ingestion of bottle gourd juice. Endoscopy showed esophagitis, gastric erosions, ulcers and duodenitis. Hypotension was treated with crystalloids and inotropic support. All patients recovered in 1-4 days. Endoscopically the lesions healed in 2 weeks. Bitter bottle gourd can cause gastrointestinal toxicity with hematemesis and hypotension. Supportive management is the treatment and all patients recover within 1 week.