AIM:To investigate the effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 and yogurt strains (BIO ® ) on adult women with constipation in Beijing. METHODS: A total of 135 adult females with constipation were randomly allocated to consume for 2 wk either 100 g of the test fermented milk or 100 g of an acidified milk containing non-living bacteria (control). Stool frequency, defecation condition scores, stool consistency and food intake were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 2 wk in an intention-totreat population of 126 subjects. In parallel, safety evaluation parameters were performed. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences were found between groups. Following consumption of test product, stool frequency was significantly increased after 1 wk (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, P < 0.01) and 2 wk (4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.4 ± 0.6, P < 0.01), vs baseline. Similarly, after 1 and 2 wk, of test product consumption, defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.9 ± 1.2, P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.9 ± 1.2, P < 0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, P < 0.01 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, P < 0.01, respectively) were significantly improved.Compared with the control group, stool frequency was also significantly increased (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 2.5 ± 0.9, P < 0.01 and 4.1 ± 1.7 vs 2.6 ± 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively), and defecation condition (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.1, P < 0.01 and 0.8 ± 1.0 vs 1.6 ± 1.1, P < 0.01, respectively) and stool consistency (1.0 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.0, P < 0.05 and 0.6 ± 0.8 vs 1.3 ± 1.0, P < 0.01, respectively) significantly decreased after 1 and 2 wk of product consumption. During the same period, food intake did not change between the two groups, and safety parameters of the subjects were within normal ranges. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a beneficial effect of a fermented milk containing B. lactis DN-173010 on stool frequency, defecation condition and stool consistency in adult women with constipation constipated women after 1 and 2 wk of consumption.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of macrophage migration-inhibitory factor (MIF) in duodenal ulcer epithelial cells and its relation to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, and to discuss the pathogenic roles of MIF expression and Hp infection in duodenal ulcer. MIF protein and mRNA expression was examined in samples from patients with duodenal ulcer with and without Hp infection (N = 40 each, experimental group), and in normal duodenal bulb mucosal tissue (N = 40, control group) using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Patients without Hp infection received routine treatment, and treatment was provided to the patients positive for Hp to eradicate Hp infection. Hp and MIF expression levels before treatment and after the ulcer had been cured were compared. The positive rates of MIF protein and mRNA in patients with Hp infection before treatment were 67.5 and 65%, respectively, and were 18.9 and 21.6% in the 37 patients from whom Hp was eliminated. These were statistically different both before and after treatment compared with controls (P < 0.05). In the patients without Hp infection, the positive rates of MIF protein and Macrophage MIF expression and H. pylori in duodenal ulcer mRNA expression before (45 and 47.5%, respectively) and after (32.5 and 30%) treatment were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The results of this study suggested that MIF is related to the development of duodenal ulcer, and that the presence of Hp is closely related with the expression of MIF in the duodenal mucosa and the development of duodenal ulcer.