Objective: To investigate the characteristic of colonic transmission in functional constipation (FC) and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Sini Powder (SP) on it.
Methods: The colonic transmission time (CTT) of 36 patients with FC (the FC group) and 22 healthy subjects (control group) was measured through colonic transmission test, and CTT of entire colon and that of various subsections was calculated with Hinton method and Arhan method respectively. After then, the FC group was treated with SP for 7 days, and CTT was detected again after treatment.
Results: Before treatment, body mass index (BMI) was higher, CTT of entire colon, left half colonic section, and sigmoid-rectal section were longer in the FC group than those in the control group (P < 0.05), no statistical difference in CTT of right half colon was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). After FC patients being treated with SP, their CTT of whole colon, left half colonic section and sigmoid-rectal section were significantly shortened (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: FC patients were characterized by increased BMI and CTT prolonged and unevenly distributed in subsections, especially in the left half colon, sigmoid and rectum; SP could shorten the CTT in FC patients.