Kindleysides Sophie, Kuhn-Sherlock Barbara, Yip Wilson, Poppitt Sally D
Human Nutrition Unit, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Consultant Statistician, Hamilton, New Zealand.
Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2015;24(3):421-9. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.2015.24.3.15.
Previous clinical trials have shown bowel function is improved through consumption of whole kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa). This study investigated whether encapsulated kiwifruit extract (1 g/day) could alleviate constipation in otherwise healthy adults.
Forty adults with confirmed constipation entered this trial, of which 32 completed with >80% compliance. Two capsules were self-administered morning and evening for 2 periods, each of 3 weeks duration, separated by a 3+ week washout in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled crossover. Inclusion criteria included constipation with <=3 bowel movements (BM) per week. Daily records of defecation frequency and stool characteristics were obtained throughout treatment, as well as a measurement of gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale (GSRS) and quality of life (QoL) before and after each intervention arm.
There was no difference in total BM over 3 weeks (p>0.05) or mean BM during each of weeks 1, 2 and 3 (p>0.05) between the kiwifruit extract and placebo when assessed from a faecal diary. There was also no detectable difference in defecation related scores of BM ease of defecation, volume, consistency or BM type assessed using Bristol stool chart scores. Nor was there a significant change in GSRS or QoL between pre and post treatment measures, when compared to placebo (p>0.05).
This trial showed that improvement in bowel function or comfort was not achieved through supplementation with 1 g/day freeze dried kiwifruit extract. Efficacy from prior kiwifruit powder and whole fruit trials indicate that investigating higher doses of encapsulated kiwifruit extract may be worthwhile.
先前的临床试验表明，食用完整的奇异果（中华猕猴桃）可改善肠道功能。本研究调查了胶囊形式的奇异果提取物（每日1克）是否能缓解健康成年人的便秘问题。
40名确诊便秘的成年人参与了本试验，其中32人完成试验且依从性>80%。在双盲、随机、安慰剂对照的交叉试验中，早晚自行服用两粒胶囊，共两个周期，每个周期持续3周，中间间隔3周以上的洗脱期。纳入标准包括每周排便次数（BM）<=3次的便秘患者。在整个治疗过程中记录每日排便频率和粪便特征，以及在每个干预组前后测量胃肠道症状评分量表（GSRS）和生活质量（QoL）。
从粪便日记评估，奇异果提取物和安慰剂在3周内的总排便次数（p>0.05）或第1、2和3周期间的平均排便次数（p>0.05）没有差异。使用布里斯托大便分类法评估的排便相关评分，如排便难易程度、粪便量、质地或排便类型，也没有可检测到的差异。与安慰剂相比，治疗前后GSRS或QoL也没有显著变化（p>0.05）。
本试验表明，每日补充1克冻干奇异果提取物并不能改善肠道功能或舒适度。先前奇异果粉和完整果实试验的疗效表明，研究更高剂量的胶囊形式奇异果提取物可能是值得的。
