The Relationship of the P-P Factor to Gastrointestinal Motility

Abstract

In a previous preliminary report we have outlined our observations on the effect of whole vitamin B complex 1 and of some of its components on functional digestive disturbances. We have studied 65 cases in which the diagnosis of functional digestive tract disorder was made after every attempt to reveal any existing pathology by X-ray examination and appropriate laboratory tests. The principal complaints of these patients have been distress, flatulence (bloating, passage of flatus, borborygmi), and constipation which might alternate with loose stools. Less constant symptoms are anorexia, weakness and fatigue, and nervousness. A group of 45 have been treated over periods of 2 months to 2 years with whole vitamin B complex; 70% of these have shown a satisfactory response to this therapy. The presence of a vitamin B deficiency in this group of individuals was indicated by determinations of urinary thiamin output, which was below normal in 17 of 22 patients. (That is, below 10 I.U. per day.) In parallel determinations on a group of 16 normal individuals the average excretion was 20.5 I.U. per day.

Groups of patients were treated separately with thiamin, riboflavin, and nicotinic acid to determine whether any of these fractions of the vitamin B complex could be shown to be responsible for its effectiveness. Negative results were obtained with thiamin and riboflavin. However, in 40 cases treated with nicotinic acid in dosages ranging from 75 to 200 mg per day, the beneficial effects obtained were comparable to those resulting from treatment with whole complex (satisfactory in 60%). It is our impression that the therapeutic effect of nicotinic acid in functional bowel disturbance is not the complete equivalent of that given by the whole B complex, but further study may be necessary to establish this point.