AU2012201368A1 - Agent and food for preventing/improving functional digestive disorder - Google Patents

Abstract

It is intended to provide an agent and a food for preventing/improving functional digestive disorder which 5 contains, as the active ingredient, at least one member selected from among glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotides and salts thereof. 3194701_ (GHMatters) P73742.AU. I 703/12

Description

GIFFITH AU TRAM MLANS SPECIFICATION OF PATENT APPLICATION COUNTRY AUSTRALIA TYPE Divisional Patent DATE 16 September 2005 TITLE AGENT AND FOOD FOR PREVENTING/IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL DIGESTIVE DISORDER APPLICANT AJINOMOTO CO., INC.

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant: AJINOMOTO CO., INC. Invention Title: AGENT AND FOOD FOR PREVENTING/IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL DIGESTIVE DISORDER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: DESCRIPTION AGENT AND FOOD FOR PREVENTING/IMPROVING FUNCTIONAL DIGESTIVE DISORDER The present application is a divisional application of Australian application no. 2005283297, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. Technical Field The present invention relates to an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder. More particularly, the present invention relates to an agent for the 10 prophylaxis or improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), particularly, upper gastrointestinal dysfunctions such as functional dyspepsia (FD) (e.g., abdominal pain, heavy stomach, heartburn and the like), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the like, a gastrointestinal motility function promoter, an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia and a serotonin and/or nitric oxide release promoter. The present invention also relates to a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder and the like. Background Art Even with the advancement in endoscopic diagnosis, there are many cases where a complaint of 25 the upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, discomfort, postprandial heavy stomach, nausea, vomiting and the like cannot be fully explained. Such condition where a complaint of gastrointestinal symptom is reported but no organic -30 disease is found by a general checkup including endoscopic examination, and no finding to elucidate the symptom is available is referred to as an FD (functional dyspepsia: non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD): upper abdominal indefinite complaint). According to The 35 American Gastroenterological Association, FD is defined to be a pathology where organic diseases such as peptic lA ulcer and cancer symptoms are not observed, but upper abdominal indefinite complaint continues for 4 weeks or longer, such as feeling of fullness in the abdomen, nausea - vomiting, upper abdominal pain, anorexia, 5 abnormal bowel movement and the like, based on the retention of contents in the stomach. On the other hand, in Japan, such case has been determined to be "upper abdomen gastrointestinal complaint associated with chronic gastritis" 10 irrespective of organic findings, and, in clinical situations, diagnosed conventionally as "gastritis" or "chronic gastritis". Currently, the subtype of FD includes an ulcer symptom type, a gastrointestinal dysmotility type and non-specific type, which include 15 conventional gastroatonia, nervous dyspepsia and gastric neurosis. Even in cases where an organic disease (reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcer, acute gastritis, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreas - biliary disease 20 etc.) is clearly observed, abdominal pain, discomfort, postprandial heavy stomach, nausea-vomiting and the like are also found. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for the improvement of such discomfortable feeling to ensure better QOL of patients. When NUD is joined 25 with lower abdomen indefinite complaint such as defecation difficulty, unrelieved feeling after defecation, abdominal pain, feeling of fullness in the abdomen and the like due to constipation, about 30%-50% of the total population of Japan is assumed to have 30 experienced some gastrointestinal indefinite complaint. The development of abdominal indefinite complaint is considered to be influenced by sex, aging, stress or overweight due to the western style diet, and is a disease representing the modern society along with the 35 lifestyle-related diseases. Even though it is such a 2 serious disease, the etiology of the gastrointestinal indefinite complaint is merely suggested to involve various diseases (chronic gastritis, diabetes, overweight, constipation etc.), and the only suggested 5 mechanism of its onset is degraded gastrointestinal motility function. In addition, many of the patients with a progressive degenerative disease of the brain such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington chorea, 10 olivopontocerebellar atrophy and the like, cerebral apoplexy and the like also develop gastrointestinal motility dysfunction, and improvement of QOL by the improvement of gastrointestinal motility function is considered to be necessary. It is considered that many 15 of these patients cannot report indefinite complaint by themselves due to logopathy, disturbance of consciousness and the like. Thus, a care that removes a disturbance of sensation such as indefinite complaint and the like simultaneously with a care of organic 20 dysfunction leads to the improvement of QOL in a true sense. 5-HT4 receptor agonists and the like have heretofore been used for the treatment of FD. For example, cisapride and metoclopramide have a 25 hyperanakinesia action on the stomach and intestines, and have been used for the treatment of the symptoms and the like of chronic gastritis, feeling of fullness in the abdomen, reflux esophagitis, abdominal indefinite complaint and pseudoileus. However, 30 metoclopramide shows a side effect of extrapyramidal symptoms caused by the action on dopamine D2 receptors in the central nervous system, and cisapride has also been clarified to show parkinsonian symptoms. While mosapride etc. have also been used, the effect is not 35 always sufficient, and side effects such as feeling of 3 fullness in the abdomen and the like appear. While H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors have been used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), since the safety of long-term administration 5 has not been established, a periodic examination is necessary. Therefore, it is difficult to expect a treatment effect of these existing pharmaceutical agents while ensuring sufficient safety. Moreover, therapeutic drugs for FD and 10 gastrointestinal indefinite complaint accompanying a gastrointestinal organic disorder, partial 5-HT3 receptor agonist, nitroglycerol, nitric oxide (hereinafter NO)-releasing drugs such as nitrate etc. and the like are known. However, since 5-HT receptors 15 and nitrergic proteins, which are the target of these pharmaceutical agents, are distributed in not only the gastrointestinal mucous membrane but also organs in the body including brain, the agents show various physiological activities. To be specific, when a 5-HT3 20 antagonist is used as an antiemetic agent, a non specific 5-HT3 receptor agonist particularly induces nausea and vomiting. It is also known that nonspecific NO release in the systemic circulation induces low blood pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a 25 safe and highly effective pharmaceutical agent that can be acted on these targets limited in the gastrointestinal organs. On the other hand, glutamine has been reported to show an effect of improving organic gastrointestinal 30 diseases such as ulcer and the like without expressing a side effect (Elia M, Lunn PG., Nutrition. 1997 Jul Aug; 13(7-8): 743-7). However, glutamine has low solubility, is highly unstable in an aqueous solution, and lacks convenience. A report has documented that 35 addition of monosodium glutamate alone, and both 4 glutamic acid and sodium inosinate, to diet can enhance gastric secretion in an experiment model of atrophy gastritis, which is also one of the organic diseases (Vasilevskaia LS, et al., Vopr Pitan. 1993 May-Jun; 5 (3): 29-33, Rymshina MV & Vasilevskaia LS., Vopr Pitan. 1996; (1): 9-11). Monosodium glutamate has been confirmed to enhance gastric secretion in atrophy gastritis patients, and moreover, glutamic acid and sodium inosinate show a potential to be digestion 10 promoters in atrophy gastritis patients (Kochetkov AM, Vopr Pitan. 1992 Sep-Dec;(5-6): 19-22, Shlygin GK, Klin Med (Mosk). 1991 Aug; 69(8): 66-70). However, a treatment effect of glutamic acid and sodium inosinate has not been suggested yet for the sensory abnormality 15 (indefinite complaint) associated with NUD and digestive trouble. In addition, there are reports on several attempts to improve gastrointestinal function and increase efficiency of nutrition support in patients 20 with organic disorder in the gastrointestinal tract or patients with lower function caused thereby, by enteral administration of a glutamic acid-containing composition for the purpose of protecting the mucous membrane and improving the motility of the lower 25 gastrointestinal tract (DE-B-4133366, US patent application publication No. 2003/138476, EP-B-0318446, JP-A-56-57385, CA-B-2404005, JP-A-48-30583). In these cases, however, maintenance of gastrointestinal barrier by protection of the mucous membrane, improvement of 30 the motility of the lower gastrointestinal tract and the like are desired by addition of glutamic acid to a nutritional composition such as amino acid, protein and the like, and a treatment effect on FD is not 35 suggested. 355 Disclosure of the Invention As mentioned above, 5-HT agonists and NO releasing agents have conventionally been used as therapeutic agents for FD. While serotonin and NO are 5 systemically distributed, they are particularly abundantly present in the gastrointestinal tract. Particularly, it is considered that about 80% of serotonin is present in the gastrointestinal mucosal epithelium. There are abundant findings relating to the 10 physiological activities of NO and serotonin in the gastrointestinal tract. NO in the gastrointestinal mucous membrane is considered to relate to receptive relaxation upon food intake, promotion of mucus secretion, repair of disordered mucous membrane, 15 enhancement of gastrointestinal immunity, sterilization of gastrointestinal lumen, improvement of microcirculation by increased mucosal blood flow and to antiplatelet aggregation effect, and the like, and plays an important role for the maintenance of 20 gastrointestinal function. In addition, serotonin is a main physiologically active substance of the gastrointestinal tract, which is responsible for gastrointestinal motility regulation, gastrointestinal exocrine regulation (gastric-acid secretion, pancreatic 25 exocrine secretion etc.). When the action of these substances is artificially inhibited, the gastrointestinal function is prevented, which causes ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, and abnormal motility. 30 Therefore, a gastrointestinal indefinite complaint can be taken as a warning from the gastrointestinal tract, and it is easily assumed that a gastrointestinal indefinite complaint can be caused by a nonorganic gastrointestinal dysfunction of a mild 35 level which is pathologically difficult to judge, not 6 to mention an event of gastrointestinal organic pathology. Therefore, 5-HT agonists that promote serotonin release and NO releasing agents that promote NO have conventionally been used. However, these 5 pharmaceutical agents are problematic in terms of systemic side effects and safety as mentioned above. Hence, there is a demand for the development of a pharmaceutical agent that specifically promotes release of serotonin and NO in the gastrointestinal tract and 10 improves various conditions associated with FD and the like. The present invention has been made in this situation and aims at providing a pharmaceutical agent or a food capable of improvement of upper 15 gastrointestinal dysfunction such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, particularly functional dyspepsia, esophageal reflux and the like, promotion of gastrointestinal motility function, and prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia. Moreover, the present 20 invention aims at providing a pharmaceutical agent or a food for specifically promoting a release of serotonin and/or NO in the gastrointestinal tract. The present inventors have conducted intensive studies in an attempt to solve the above-mentioned 25 problems and found that when at least one kind of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof is administered to the subject of administration, the concentration of NO and serotonin increases only in the gastrointestinal tract to promote gastrointestinal 30 motility function, and therefore, functional gastrointestinal disorders and dysphagia can be improved without inducing systemic side effects, which resulted in the completion of the present invention. Here, with regard to the absorbability of 35 monosodium glutamate and 5'-nucleotide, for example, it ?7 has been reported that when monosodium glutamate and sodium inosinate are orally taken, not less than 90% of glutamic acid taken is completely oxidized on the gastrointestinal mucous membrane into carbon dioxide 5 and water and the remaining 10% or less is converted to alanine and lactic acid, and thus, the amount of glutamic acid that transfers into blood is extremely small (PJ. Reeds, DG Burin, B Stoll, Jahoor, J. Nutrition 130: 978S (2000)). Moreover, the study of 10 Niijima et al. affords the finding that administration of monosodium glutamate into the stomach and duodenum activates the vagus nerve afferent pathway, but intravenous and intraportal administration of monosodium glutamate does not activate the vagus nerve 15 (Niijima A., et al., Physiol Behav. 1991 May; 49(5): 1025-8, Niijima A., et al., J Nutr. 2000 Apr; 130 (4S Suppl): 971S-3S). From these findings, it is considered that even if a part of glutamic acid is absorbed and transferred to the systemic circulation, glutamic acid 20 does not directly activate the vagus nerve afferent pathway in the body. From these findings, the action mechanism of improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorders by the pharmaceutical agent of the present invention is 25 assumed to be as follows. That is, when the pharmaceutical agent of the present invention is administered to the subject of administration, release of NO and/or serotonin is promoted only in the stomach mucous membrane. As a result, the concentration of NO 30 and/or serotonin increases only in such topical environment, and gastrointestinal motility function is promoted. Thus, the indefinite complaint associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders such as FD and the like can be improved safely and effectively. In 35 addition, since the amount of active ingredient 8 transferred to blood is extremely low, systemic side effects are seldom induced. The present invention encompasses the following. (1) An agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a 5 functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. (2) The agent of (1), wherein the aforementioned 5' 10 nucleotide is selected from the group consisting of 5' inosinic acid, 5'-guanylic acid, 5'-adenyl acid, 5' cytidylic acid, 5'-uridylic acid and 5'-xanthylic acid. (3) The agent of (1), wherein the aforementioned 5' nucleotide is selected from 5'-inosinic acid and 5' 15 guanylic acid. (4) The agent of any one of (1) to (3), wherein the aforementioned salt is a salt with basic amino acid. (5) The agent of (4), wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine 20 and ornithine. (6) The agent of (4), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (7) The agent of (1), wherein the aforementioned active ingredient is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 25 (8) The agent of any one of (1) to (7), wherein the aforementioned-functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. (9) The agent of (8), wherein the aforementioned upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or 30 gastroesophageal reflux disease. (10) The agent of any one of (1) to (9), wherein a daily dose of the aforementioned active ingredient to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. (11) An agent for the promotion of gastrointestinal 35 motility function, which comprises, as an active 9 ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (12) An agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of 5 dysphagia, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (13) An NO and/or serotonin release promoter specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises, as an 10 active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (14) The release promoter of (13), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 15 (15) A food for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (16) A food for the prophylaxis or improvement of 20 dysphagia, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (17) A food for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which 25 comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (18) The food of (17), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 30 (19) A food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 35 (20) The food of (19), wherein the aforementioned 5' 10 nucleotide is selected from the group consisting of 5' inosinic acid, 5'-guanylic acid, 5'-adenyl acid, 5' cytidylic acid, 5'-uridylic acid and 5'-xanthylic acid. (21) The food of (19), wherein the aforementioned 5' 5 nucleotide is selected from 5'-inosinic acid and 5' guanylic acid. (22) The food of any one of (19) to (21), wherein the aforementioned salt is a salt with basic amino acid. (23) The food of (22), wherein the basic amino acid is 10 selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. (24) The food of (22), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (25) The food of (19), wherein the aforementioned 15 compound is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. (26) The food of any one of (19) to (25), wherein the aforementioned functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. (27) The food of (26), wherein the aforementioned upper 20 gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. (28) The food of any one of (19) to (27), wherein a daily dose of the aforementioned compound to an adult is 0.Olg - 20 g. 25 (29) The food of any one of (15) to (28), wherein the content of the aforementioned compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. (30) The food of (29), which is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. 30 (31) The food of (30), wherein the aforementioned food with health claims is a food for specified health uses or a food with nutrient function claims. (32) A commercial package comprising a composition comprising at least one kind selected from the group 35 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 11 thereof, and a written matter stating that the composition can or should be used for at least one kind selected from prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, promotion of 5 gastrointestinal motility function and prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia. (33) A commercial package comprising a composition comprising at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 10 thereof, and a written matter stating that the composition can or should be used for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract. (34) The commercial package of (33), wherein the 15 aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. (35) A commercial package comprising a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof, and a written matter associated therewith, the 20 written matter stating that the food can or should be used for at least one kind selected from prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, promotion of gastrointestinal motility function and prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia. 25 (36) A commercial package comprising a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof, and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the food can or should be 30 used for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract. (37) The commercial package of (36), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. (38) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt 35 thereof for the production of an agent for the 12 prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a 5 salt thereof. (39) The use of (38), wherein the aforementioned salt is a salt with basic amino acid. (40) The use of (39), wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine 10 and ornithine. (41) The use of (39), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (42) The use of (38), wherein the aforementioned active ingredient is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 15 (43) The use of any one of (38) to (42), wherein the aforementioned functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. (44) The use of (43), wherein the aforementioned upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or 20 gastroesophageal reflux disease. (45) The use of any one of (38) to (44), wherein a daily dose of the aforementioned active ingredient to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. (46) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt 25 thereof for the production of an agent for the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 30 (47) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 35 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 13 (48) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an NO and/or serotonin release promoter in the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind s selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (49) The use of (48), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. (50) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt 10 thereof for the production of a food for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 15 (51) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide 20 and a salt thereof. (52) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises at least one 25 kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (53) The use of (52), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. (54) Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt 30 thereof for the production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 35 (55) The use of (54), wherein the aforementioned salt 14 is a salt with basic amino acid. (56) The use of (55), wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 5 (57) The use of (55), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (58) The use of (54), wherein the aforementioned active_ ingredient is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. (59) The use of any one of (54) to (58), wherein the 10 aforementioned functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. (60) The use of (59), wherein the aforementioned upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 15 (61) The use of any one of (54) to (60), wherein the daily dose of the aforementioned compound to an adult is 0.01 g - 20 g. (62) The use of any one of (54) to (61), wherein the content of the aforementioned compound is 0.01 wt% to 20 10 wt%. (63) The use of (62), wherein the food is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. (64) The use of (63), wherein the aforementioned food with health claims is a food for specified health uses 25 or a food with nutrient function claims. (65) A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 30 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. (66) The method of (65), wherein the aforementioned salt is a salt with basic amino acid. (67) The method of (66), wherein the basic amino acid 35 is selected from the group consisting of arginine, 15 lysine and ornithine. (68) The method of (66), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (69) The method of (65), which comprises administering 5 an effective amount of an arginine salt with glutamic acid. (70) The method of any one of (65) to (69), wherein the aforementioned functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 10 (71) The method of (70), wherein the aforementioned upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. (72) The method of any one of (65) to (71), wherein the effective amount to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 15 (73) A method of promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 20 (74) A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 25 (75) A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release in the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of 30 administration. (76) The method of (75), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. (77) A method for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises taking a food comprising at 35 least one kind of compound selected from the group 16 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (78) A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises taking a food comprising at 5 least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (79) A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release in the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises 10 taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. (80) The method of (79), wherein the aforementioned gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 15 (81) A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 20 (82) The method of (81), wherein the aforementioned salt is a salt with basic amino acid. (83) The method of (82), wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 25 (84) The method of (82), wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. (85) The method of (81), wherein the aforementioned compound is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. (86) The method of any one of (81) to (85), wherein the 30 aforementioned functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. (87) The method of (86), wherein the aforementioned upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 35 (88) The method of any one of (81) to (87), which 17 comprises taking a food wherein a daily intake of the aforementioned compound to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. (89) The method of any one of (77) to (88), which comprises taking a food wherein the content of the 5 aforementioned compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. (90) The method of (89), wherein the food is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. (91) The method of (90), wherein the aforementioned food with health claims is a food for specified health 10 uses or a food with nutrient function claims. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows one example of the effect of a 5-HT3 antagonist against a vagus nerve gastric branches 15 afferent activity induced by MSG (monosodium glutamate) or GMP (sodium guanylate) aqueous solution. Fig. 2 shows one example of the study results of the activation of vagus nerve by intragastric administration of monosodium glutamate when mucous 20 membrane serotonin is depleted or NO synthesis is inhibited. Fig. 3 shows one example of the study results of NO release in the mucous membrane by intragastric administration of glutamic acid. 25 Fig. 4 shows one example of the study results of serotonin leakage in the portal blood by intragastric administration of glutamic acid. Fig. 5 shows one example of the study results of promotion of stomach emptying by intragastric 30 administration of glutamic acid. Fig. 6 shows one example of the study results of promotion of stomach emptying by monosodium glutamate and arginine glutamic acid salt. Fig. 7 shows one example of the study results of 35 promotion of stomach emptying by lysine glutamic acid 18 salt, calcium glutamate and inosinic acid. Fig. 8 shows one example of the study results of the influence of glutamic acid on the feeling after eating, based on the tension of stomach. 5 Best Mode for Embodying the Invention The embodiment of the present invention is explained in the following. As used herein, the "functional gastrointestinal 10 disorder" refers to a pathology where organic diseases such as peptic ulcer and cancer symptoms are not observed, but upper abdominal indefinite complaint continues such as feeling of fullness in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, anorexia, 15 abnormal bowel movement, and the like, based on the retention of contents in gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach. It means a condition without organic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, but with a reproducible gastrointestinal symptom that degrades 20 QOL of patients. The "gastrointestinal tract" in the present invention refers to a series of luminal organs involved in digestion from mouth cavity to anus and, for example, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and large 25 intestine can be mentioned. The "upper gastrointestinal tract" refers to pharynx, esophagus, stomach and duodenum. As used herein, the "functional dyspepsia" refers to a pathology where organic diseases such as peptic 30 ulcer and cancer symptoms are not observed, but upper abdominal indefinite complaint continues such as feeling of fullness in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain, anorexia, abnormal bowel movement and the like, based on the retention of the contents in 3s the stomach. It means a condition without organic 19 disease of the gastrointestinal tract, but with a reproducible gastrointestinal symptom that degrades QOL of patients. The dyspepsia includes diseases so far diagnosed as chronic gastritis and gastritis, and often 5 shows symptoms of abdominal pain, heavy stomach, heartburn and the like. In recent years, 40-60% of the outpatients of medical practitioners is said to suffer from functional dyspepsia, and Helicobacter pylori removal therapy tends to increase the number of 10 functional dyspepsia. Furthermore, the "gastroesophageal reflux disease" includes reflux esophagitis and is developed by reflux of gastric acid and shows specific symptoms of heartburn, flow up of gastric acid to the mouth and the 15 like. Moreover, while "swallowing" means gulping water and food, it is closely related to not only mouth cavity and pharynx, but also motility of gastrointestinal tract such as esophagus and the like, as evidenced by misswallowing and vomiting due to 20 sticking of swallowed food bolus in the esophagus. An agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, an agent for the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function and an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia 25 are agents for the prophylaxis or improvement to improve upper gastrointestinal dysfunction such as functional gastrointestinal disorders with reproducibility of lowering QOL of patients, particularly functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal 30 reflux disease and the like. In the following, the agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, the specific promoter of nitric oxide and/or serotonin release in the gastrointestinal tract, the agent for 35 the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function and 20 the agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia of the present invention are sometimes simply referred to as a "prophylactic or improving agent". The prophylactic or improving agent of the present 5 invention contains at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof as an active ingredient. As 5'-nucleotide, for example, 5' inosinic acid, 5'-guanylic acid, 5'-adenyl acid, 5' cytidylic acid, 5'-uridylic acid and 5'-xanthylic acid 10 can be mentioned, of which 5'-inosinic acid and 5' guanylic acid are preferable. As the "salt", a pharmacologically acceptable salt of glutamic acid or 5'-nucleotide is preferable. As such salt, salts with inorganic base, salts with 15 inorganic acid, salts with organic acid and salts with organic base and the like can be mentioned. As the salt with inorganic base, alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, lithium and the like, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium, magnesium and the like, 20 ammonium salt and the like can be mentioned. As the salt with inorganic acid, salts with hydrohalic acid (hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrogen iodide acid etc.), sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid and the like can be mentioned. As the salt with 25 organic acid, salts with formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, histidine and the like can be mentioned. As the salt with organic base, basic amino acid 30 (arginine, lysine, ornithine and the like), nucleotide (purine derivative, pyrimidine derivative and the like), alkaloid and the like can be mentioned. Of these, salts with basic amino acid such as arginine and the like, alkali metal salt such as sodium salt and the 35 like, and calcium salt are preferable, salts with 21 organic acid such as inosinic acid, histidine and the like are also useful. Glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and salts thereof to be used may be natural ones derived from animal or 5 plant, or those obtained by a chemical synthetic method, a fermentation method or gene recombination. As the glutamic acid, an L form, a D form or a mixture thereof (e.g., racemate) can be mentioned, with preference given to an L form. Thus, aspartic acid, 10 tricolominic acid, ibotenic acid and a salt thereof, which are amino acids similar to glutamic acid, are assumed to have an action to improve functional gastrointestinal disorders. As a preferable active ingredient, glutamic acid, 15 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof such as glutamic acid, sodium L-glutamate, sodium D-glutamate, 5'-guanylic acid, sodium 5'-guanylate, sodium 5'-xanthylate, sodium 5'-adenylate, sodium deoxy-5'-adenylate, sodium 5' inosinate, sodium 2-methylthio-5'-inosinate, sodium N' 20 methyl-2-methylthio-5'-inosinate and the like can be mentioned. Of these, glutamic acid, sodium L-glutamate and sodium 5'-inosinate are preferable. As the active ingredient, a mixture of one or more kinds thereof can be used. 25 In the present invention, for example, the improvable specific indefinite complaint in the functional gastrointestinal disorders include, but not limited to, representative upper gastrointestinal indefinite complaint such as nausea, vomiting, sickly 30 feeling, heartburn, feeling of fullness in the abdomen, heavy stomach, belching, chest writhing, chest pain, gastric discomfort, anorexia, dysphagia and the like, lower gastrointestinal indefinite complaint such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea and the like, 35 and related complaint such as breathlessness, feeling 22 of smothering, low incentive, pharyngeal obstruction feeling of foreign substance ("baikakuki" in Chinese medicine), easy fatigability, stiff neck, myotonia, mouth dryness (dry mouth -thirst), tachypnea, burning 5 sensation - cold sensation of extremities, difficulty in concentration, impatience, sleep disorder, headache, general malaise, palpitation, night sweat, anxiety, dizziness, vertigo, burning sensation, hot flash, sweating, abdominal pain, constipation, depression and 10 the like. In the present invention, as mentioned above, functional gastrointestinal disorders and the like can be improved by administering an effective amount of the above-mentioned active ingredient to an administration 15 subject. In this case, the active ingredient can be administered orally, enterally or parenterally as it is or after mixing with a pharmaceutical carrier and in the form of a pharmaceutical preparation such as tablet (including sugar-coated tablet, film-coated tablet), 20 pill, capsule, ampoule, divided powder, elixir, suspension, syrup, gum preparation, drop preparation, powder, injection, suppository, sustained-release preparation and the like, in consideration of the amount of an active ingredient to be administered, 25 condition of administration subject (e.g., patient) and the like. As the administration method, oral administration is preferable, and a sustained-release drug is more preferable. As the sustained-release form, conventional sustained-release preparations such 30 as gel-coated preparation, multi-coated preparation and the like, gum preparation, drop preparation, localized release agent (pyloric part rupture preparation) and the like can be mentioned. As used herein, the "subject of administration" 35 includes individuals affected with functional 23 gastrointestinal disorders and the like (e.g., human, domestic animals and poultry such as bovine, horse, swine, sheep, dog, bird and the like, and experimental animals such as mouse, rat and the like, hereinafter s the same), individuals having a risk of being affected with a functional gastrointestinal disorder and the like, and the like. The "effective amount" means an amount sufficient to afford a desired improvement effect. While the dose of the active ingredient varies 10 depending on the sex, age and body weight of administration subject, diet, form of administration, condition of FD and the like, the level of risk inducing FD and the like, condition of organic disease of the gastrointestinal tract and the like, for 15 example, the daily dose of the active ingredient to an adult (body weight 60 kg) is preferably 0.01 - 20 g, more preferably 0.01 - 10 g, and still more preferably 0.1 - 10 g. Such dose can be administered at once or in several portions. 20 The aforementioned "pharmaceutical carrier" means one which is pharmaceutically acceptable and least causes pharmacological action in the body. As a pharmaceutical carrier for oral administration, binders such as gum tragacanth, gum arabic, cornstarch, gelatin 25 and the like; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate and the like; disintegrants such as cornstarch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; lubricants such as magnesium stearate and the like; sweetening agents such as sucrose and the like; dyes; flavorings such as 30 orange flavor and the like; solvents such as water, ethanol, glycerol and the like; nutrients such as protein, amino acid, vitamin, lipid, glucose and the like; and the like can be used as appropriate. Furthermore, as a pharmaceutical carrier, 35 pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants such as 24 cysteine, glutathione, ascorbic acid, sodium metasulfite, sodium bisulfite and the like, and acid neutralizers such as calcium carbonate, hydroxide aluminum gel, aluminum silicate and the like can be 5 used. The aforementioned dosage forms of the pharmaceutical preparations and pharmaceutical carriers are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and, for example, the dosage forms and pharmaceutical 10 carriers described in Reimington's Pharmaceutical Science, ed. 16 (1980) and Mack Publishing Company can be used. The present invention may be used in combination with other pharmaceutical agents, and as such 15 pharmaceutical agents, for example, acid secretion inhibitors such as H2 receptor antagonist, proton pump inhibitor and the like, motility function improvers such as 5-HT receptor agonist, D2 antagonist and the like, antacid agents such as muscarine receptor 20 antagonist, anti-gastrin drug, anticholinergic drug and the like, mucous membrane protectors such as teprenone, plaunotol, ornoprostil, enprostil, misoprostol, rebamipide, sucralfate, polaprezinc, azulene, egualen sodium, glutamine, aldioxa, gefarnate, ecabet sodium 25 and the like, inflammatory colitis treating agents such as sulfasalazine, 5-ASA preparation, steroid, remicade and the like can be contained. One or more kinds of these can be contained. One or more kinds thereof can be contained. 30 The food of the present invention is now explained. The food of the present invention comprises at least one kind of compound selected from glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof, and is taken for a particular purpose of promotion of specific 35 release of nitric oxide and/or serotonin in the 25 gastrointestinal tract, improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorder, enhancement of gastrointestinal motility function and improvement of dysphagia. In addition, the food of the present 5 invention may be prepared into a common food including what is called a health food. In addition, the food of the present invention may be prepared into a food with health claims, Food for specified health uses, Food with nutrient function claims, and further, a dietary 10 supplement as defined by the food with health claims system of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In this case, one or more kinds of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof can be mixed and used. As the food of the present invention, the 15 aforementioned compound may be taken as it is. For easy intake, however, general food materials, seasonings, flavoring agents and the like may be added to the above-mentioned compound and the mixture is processed into a drink, gum, powder, tablet, granule, 20 jelly and the like before intake. In this case, for example, a tablet made of the above-mentioned compound and a disintegrant, a mixture of the above-mentioned compound and a weighting agent (protein hydrolysate, starch, casein, glucose etc.), a mixture of the above 25 mentioned compound and an adhesive (gum, sublingual tablet, troche) which permits intraoral sustained release, a solution of the above-mentioned compound in a solvent capable of dissolving the compound (e.g., edible fat and oil, ethanol, water), a W/O or O/W 30 emulsion containing the above-mentioned compound, or a mixture of the above-mentioned compound and a nutrient (e.g., protein, amino acid, vitamin, lipid, glucose etc.) can be afforded. In addition, at least one kind selected from glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 35 thereof, which is for the prophylaxis or improvement of 26 functional gastrointestinal disorder, enhancement of gastrointestinal motility, prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, and promotion of specific release of nitric oxide and/or serotonin in the gastrointestinal 5 tract of the present invention can also be taken with a meal by addition thereto during the meal. For example, they can be taken by addition to an existing food such as drink, soft drink, yogurt, jelly, milk drink and the like. 10 When the food of the present invention is used for the aforementioned particular object, the amount of intake of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof per day for an adult is preferably 0.01 - 20 g, more preferably 0.01 - 10 g, and still more preferably 15 0.1 - 10 g. The content of the above-mentioned compound in the food of the present invention is generally 0.001 - 20 wt%, preferably 0.001 - 10 wt%, more preferably 0.01 - 10 wt%, still more preferably 0.1 - 10 wt%. By setting the content of the above 20 mentioned compound in the above-mentioned common food to fall within the above-mentioned range, a remarkable effect of improving gastrointestinal function can be afforded. As is clear from the aforementioned explanation, 25 the composition of the present invention may be modified in the aspects clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention are also encompassed within the range of the present 30 invention. Examples The present invention is more specifically explained in the following by referring to Examples, which are not to be construed as limitative. 35 (Example 1) 27 To study the effect of a 5-HT3 antagonist on the vagus nerve gastric branches afferent activity induced by an aqueous solution of monosodium glutamate or sodium guanylate, the following experiments (A) - (C) s were performed. SD (IGS) rats (male, 8- to 10-week-old: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES JAPAN, INC.) were use for the experiment. After fasting for 15-17 hr, the rats were subjected to laparotomy under urethane anesthesia (1 10 g/kg, i.p.) to expose ventral vagus nerve gastric branches, and the afferent activity was recorded according to the method (Niijima A., et al., Physiol Behav. 1991 May; 49(5): 1025-8.). An aqueous solution of monosodium glutamate (MSG; 150 mM) or sodium 15 guanylate (GMP; 10, 30, 60 mM) was administered at a rate of 2 mL/rat from the catheter dwelled in the stomach. A 5-HT3 antagonist (granisetron) was administered at a rate of 0.1-10 pg/kg/rat from the catheter dwelled in the femoral vein. 20 (A) The suppressive effect of granisetron on 150 mM MSG response was studied. The results are shown in Fig. 1A. In Fig. 1A, the vertical axis shows an average nerve fiber spike number for 5 sec, and the axis of abscissas shows time (min). 25 (B) The dose dependency of the suppressive effect of granisetron on 150 mM MSG response was studied. The results are shown in Fig. 1B. Each data shows mean±standard error of 4 cases. (C) The dose dependency of GMP response and 30 antagonistic action of granisetron were studied. The results are shown in Fig. 1C. In Fig. 1C, the vertical axis shows an average nerve fiber spike number for 5 sec, and the axis of abscissas shows time (min). From the results of Fig, 1A, it has been confirmed 35 that vagus nerve gastric branches afferent activity 28 caused by an intragastric administration of MSG aqueous solution is almost completely inhibited by an intravenous administration of granisetron (10 1 g/kg), which is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. From the results 5 of Fig. 1B, the dose (ED50 value) of granisetron that inhibits half the MSG response was found to be about 0.3 pg/kg/rat. From the results of Fig. 1C, moreover, it has been confirmed that an intragastric administration of GMP (10, 30, 60 mM) aqueous solution 10 dose-dependently activates vagus nerve gastric branches and, like MSG, vagus nerve gastric branches afferent activity induced by GMP is also inhibited by an intravenous administration of granisetron (10 pg/kg). From the above results, it has been clarified that Is an intake of monosodium glutamate or sodium guanylate causes release of serotonin in the stomach mucous membrane, and activates vagus nerve via 5-HT3 receptor at the terminal of the vagus nerve gastric branches. (Example 2) 20 To study the activation of vagus nerve by intragastric administration of monosodium glutamate when mucous membrane serotonin was depleted or NO synthesis was inhibited, the following experiments (A) and (B) were performed. 25 SD (IGS) rats (male, 8- to 10-week-old: CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES JAPAN, INC.) were use for the experiment. After fasting for 15-17 hr, the rats were subjected to laparotomy under urethane anesthesia (1 g/kg, i.p.) to expose ventral vagus nerve gastric 30 branches, and the afferent activity was recorded according to the method (Niijima A., et al., Physiol Behav. 1991 May; 49(5): 1025-8.). (A) P-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was dissolved in 5% CMC solution, and administered at 200 mg/kg/rat twice a 35 day for 2 days (intraperitoneal administration). The 29 final administration of PCPA was performed 15 min before the administration of MSG aqueous solution (150 mM; intragastric administration). The results are shown in Fig. 2A. 5 (B) NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was dissolved in saline, and administered at a rate of 10 mg/kg/rat from the cannula dwelled in the femoral vein 15 min before administration of MSG aqueous solution. The results are shown in Fig. 2B. 10 In Figs. 2A and 2B, the vertical axis shows the average nerve fiber spike number for 10 sec, and the axis of abscissas shows time (1 bin=10 sec). Each data point shows mean±standard error of 4 cases. From the results of Fig. 2A, it has been confirmed 15 that a pretreatment with PCPA, which is a serotonin synthase inhibitor, eliminates sustained enhancement of nervous activity after intragastric administration of MSG. From the results of Fig. 2B, the same phenomenon as in (A) was confirmed by the pretreatment with L 20 NAME, which is an NO synthase inhibitor. From these results, it has been clarified that the production of mucous membrane serotonin and NO is essential for the activation of vagus nerve when MSG aqueous solution is intragastrically administered. 25 (Example 3) To study NO release in the mucous membrane by an intragastric administration of glutamic acid, the following experiment was performed. SD rat was subjected to laparotomy with urethane 30 anesthesia, a small incision was made in the anterior stomach and the small intestine, a 2 mm diameter polyethylene tube was inserted, and the perfusate was introduced and discharged with a Perista Pump. The perfusate was heated to 380C and the flow rate was 1 35 mL/min. The NO electrode was maintained under the 30 lamina muscularis mucosae together with a temperature sensor, saline was perfused in the stomach for 2-3 hr, the released NO value was stabilized, and isotonic MSG solution (150 mM) was perfused during the time zone of 5 14:00-18:00. In 3 cases out of 20 cases, an increase in the released NO by isotonic MSG (2.5%) was observed for a latent time of 15 min or so. Representative examples are shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, the vertical axis 10 shows the release NO concentration nM, and the axis of abscissas shows time (sec). When MSG (2.5%) is administered to the stomach mucous membrane by perfusation, NO can be detected by the NO electrode placed on the surface of the stomach mucous membrane. 15 As a result, NO concentration in the stomach mucous membrane was confirmed to increase by MSG intake. (Example 4) To study the leakage of serotonin in the portal blood by intragastric administration of glutamic acid, 20 the following experiment was performed. Male SD rats (8-week-old) were used. They were bred in a light-dark control room with a 7:00-19:00 light period. After fasting at night, the rats were subjected to laparotomy under urethane (1.25 g/kg i.p.) 25 anesthesia, and a catheter for drawing blood was inserted into the portal. The catheter was filled with saline containing 10 unit/mL heparin to prevent hematological coagulation in the catheter. Saline and MSG 450 mM solution were each administered orally by 2 30 mL using an oral sonde. The blood was drawn every 10 min from 10 min before the administration to 60 min after the administration. To prevent unnecessary platelet activation, blood samples were collected with sufficient attention. The blood drawn was rapidly 35 centrifuged by a conventional method at 40C or below, 31 3000 rpm for 15 min to separate the plasma. To the separated plasma was rapidly added an equivalent amount of a mixture (adjusted to pH 2) of acetic acid and hydrochloric acid to eliminate protein. The serotonin 5 (5-HT) amount and 5HIAA amount contained in the supernatant were analyzed by an electric chemical detector (ECD-100, manufactured by Accom Inc.). The analysis conditions were as follows. analysis column EICOMPAK SC50DS, 10 mobile phase 83% 0.1M citric acid -0.1M sodium acetate pH 3.9, 17% methanol, 140 mg/L 1-octanesulfonic acid sodium salt (SOS), 15 5 mg/L EDTA-2Na, flow rate 0.23 mL/min, analysis temperature 250C, set detector applied potential +700 mV, 20 active electrode graphite electrode Using the aforementioned analysis method, serotonin and 5HIAA of stable metabolite thereof of the same sample were quantitated. The basic value of plasma 5HT was 29.4±15.7 nM (mean±S.D.). In addition, 25 the basic value of metabolite 5HIAA was 149±22.8 nM. Each was normalized based on the value at 0 min immediately after administration as 100%. The blood collection time immediately after 2 mL intragastric administration was taken as 0 min. The experimental 30 results are shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the vertical axis shows the relative concentrations of plasma 5HT or 5HIAA, and the axis of abscissas shows time (min). In the results of Fig. 4A, no difference was found between 450 mM MSG administration shown by "S (black circle)", 35 and saline administration shown by "0 (open circle)". 32 From the results of Fig. 4B, however, by the administration of MSG 450 mM, metabolite 5HIAA showed an increase beyond the increase by the saline administration group. Therefrom, it has been clarified 5 that serotonin produced in the stomach mucous membrane by MSG taken is detoxified in the stomach mucous membrane and released as metabolite 5HIAA in the portal. In other words, MSG was confirmed to increase serotonin concentration in the circumscribed area of 10 stomach mucous membrane. (Example 5) To study promotion of stomach emptying by intragastric administration of glutamic acid, the following experiment was performed. 15 7- to 9-week-old male SD rats were fasted overnight and applied to the experiment. A test diet was orally administered at a volume of 10 mL/kg and, 1 hr later, about 80 glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm were orally administered. The rats were autopsied 20 30 min later, and the number of beads present in the stomach and small intestine was counted. The small intestine was divided into 4, and named Bl-B4 from the area near the stomach. The experimental results are shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, G in the axis of abscissas 25 shows the stomach, and the open column shows the control group. The test diet for the control group was 5% casein dissolved in distilled water, and the test diet for the glutamic acid administration group was 1% monosodium glutamate dissolved in 5% casein (glutamine 30 dose 100 mg/kg). The data shows the proportion in percentage of beads present in the area relative to the total number of beads present in the stomach and small intestine as 100. From the experiment results, it has been observed 35 that the glutamic acid administration group (N=5) tends 33 to contain a smaller number of beads in the stomach and a large number of beads in the small intestine, as compared to the control group (N=4). Therefrom, it has been confirmed that glutamic acid has a stomach 5 emptying action (Example 6) To study promotion of stomach emptying by monosodium glutamate and other salts, the following experiment was performed. 10 Male ICR mice were used. A 5% casein fluid diet (0.5 mL) containing 0.05% phenol red and a test drug was orally administered, and 30 min later, the chest was opened and the stomach was isolated. The stomach was placed in 0.1N sodium hydroxide (14 mL), 15 homogenized and left standing for 1 hr at room temperature. 20% Trichloroacetic acid (0.5 mL) was added to 5 mL of the supernatant and the mixture was centrifuged (3000 rpm, 20 min). 0.5N sodium hydroxide (4 mL) was added to the supernatant and the absorbance 20 was measured with an absorption spectrometer (560 nm). The gastric emptying rate was determined by the following calculation formula. Gastric emptying rate (%) = (1- absorbance of test sample/absorbance of standard sample)xlOO 25 For absorbance of standard sample, the stomach isolated immediately after administration of 0.5% phenol red solution was used. The test was performed using, after one-way analysis of variance, Dunnett's multiple comparison. 30 *p<0.05, **p<0.01, ***p<0.001. The results are shown in the Figure. The number of cases in each group was 8-24. The vertical axis shows a stomach emptying rate (Figs. 7A, 7B, 7C), and Figs. 6A, 6B show stomach emptying degrees with the 35 stomach emptying rate of the control group as 100. 34 Monosodium glutamate and arginine glutamic acid salt promoted stomach emptying (Figs. 6A, 6B). By comparison of the effects, it has been clarified that arginine salt promotes stomach emptying from lower 5 doses as compared to sodium salt. In addition, lysine glutamic acid salt and calcium glutamate were similarly studied. As a result, it has been clarified that they promote stomach emptying (Figs. 7A, 7B). Based thereon, glutamic acid has been clarified to promote 10 stomach emptying even when it is in other salt form. Moreover, inosinic acid was also studied and found to promote stomach emptying (Fig. 7C). (Example 7) To study the effect of monosodium glutamate on 15 feeling after eating, the following experiment was performed. A double-blind crossover test was performed with 18 healthy males (test subjects) of 45 years old or older. The test subjects drank a casein protein fluid 20 diet (400 mL) within 2 min, and thereafter recorded a score 0-10 on the stomach tension based on the following criteria every 15 min for 4 hr. 0 means no stomach tension, 10 means considerably high stomach tension, and a higher numerical value means higher 25 stomach tension. The test was performed twice, where the test subject drank a test diet containing 0.5% MSG for one time and a control diet for the other time. The composition of the casein protein fluid diet was as follows. 30 test diet: MSG (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.) 2.1 g casein calcium (trade name EM9-N: DMV Japan) 57.96 g dextrin (trade name TK16: Matsutani Chemical) 52.5 g aspartame (Ajinomoto Co., Inc.) 0.097 g 35 plum flavor (GIV010790: Givaudan Japan K.K.) 1.47 g 35 distilled water 400 mL control diet: The above-mentioned composition without containing MSG. 5 The results are shown in Fig. 8. The time point when the fluid diet was taken was 0 min. In the test diet group, stomach tension was smaller than in the control group. From the above, it has been suggested that glutamic acid improves the feeling after eating. 10 Industrial Applicability According to the present invention, a pharmaceutical agent and a food useful for the improvement of functional gastrointestinal disorders, 15 particularly upper gastrointestinal dysfunction such as functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease and the like can be provided. Since the concentration of NO and/or serotonin can be increased only in the gastrointestinal tract by the administration of the 20 pharmaceutical agent of the present invention to an administration subject, gastrointestinal motility function can be effectively enhanced. Therefore, indefinite complaint accompanying gastrointestinal dysfunction such as FD and the like can be improved 25 safely and effectively without inducing a systemic side effect heretofore concerned. While some of the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in the above, it will, however, be evident for those of ordinary skill in 30 the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the particular embodiments shown without substantially departing from the teaching and advantages of the present invention. Accordingly, such modifications and changes are encompassed in the spirit 3s and scope of the present invention as set forth in the 36 - 37 appended claims. This application is based on application No. 2004 271884 (filing date: September 17, 2004) filed in Japan, the contents of which are incorporated hereinto by 5 reference. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 10 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that a reference herein to 15 a prior art document does not constitute an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.1 6/0312 - 38 Also disclosed herein are the following items 1 to 91: 1. An agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a 5 functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 10 2. The agent of item 1, wherein said 5'-nucleotide is selected from the group consisting of 5'-inosinic acid, 5'-guanylic acid, 5'-adenyl acid, 5'-cytidylic acid, 5' uridylic acid and 5'-xanthylic acid. 15 3. The agent of item 1, wherein said 5'-nucleotide is selected from 5'-inosinic acid and 5'-guanylic acid. 4. The agent of any one of items 1 to 3, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 20 5. The agent of item 4, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 25 6. The agent of item 4, wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. 7. The agent of item 1, wherein the active ingredient is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 30 8. The agent of any one of items 1 to 7, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 35 9. The agent of item 8, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 3194701_ I (GHMatters) P73742.AU. I 6/an2 - 39 10. The agent of any one of items 1 to 9, wherein a daily dose of the active ingredient to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 5 11. An agent for the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt io thereof. 12. An agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of 15 glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 13. An NO and/or serotonin release promoter specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group 20 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 14. The release promoter of item 13, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 25 15. A food for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. 30 16. A food for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. 35 17. A food for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises at 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.I 6103/12 - 40 least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 5 18. The food of item 17, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 19. A food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises at 10 least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 20. The food of item 19, wherein said 5'-nucleotide is 15 selected from the group consisting of 5'-inosinic acid, 5'-guanylic acid, 5'-adenyl acid, 5'-cytidylic acid, 5' uridylic acid and 5'-xanthylic acid. 21. The food of item 19, wherein said 5'-nucleotide is 20 selected from 5'-inosinic acid and 5'-guanylic acid. 22. The food of any one of items 19 to 21, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 25 23. The food of item 22, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 24. The food of item 22, wherein the basic amino acid is 30 arginine. 25. The food of item 19, wherein said compound is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 35 26. The food of any one of items 19 to 25, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 319470 1_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 16/03112 - 41 27. The food of item 26, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 5 28. The food of any one of items 19 to 27, wherein a daily dose of said compound to an adult is 0.01g - 20 g. 29. The food of any one of items 15 to 28, wherein the 10 content of said compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. 30. The food of item 29, which is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. 15 31. The food of item 30, wherein said food with health claims is a food for specified health uses or a food with nutrient function claims. 32. A commercial package comprising a composition 20 comprising at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof, and a written matter stating that the composition can or should be used for at least one kind selected from prophylaxis or improvement of a functional 25 gastrointestinal disorder, promotion of gastrointestinal motility function and prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia. 33. A commercial package comprising a composition 30 comprising at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof, and a written matter stating that the composition can or should be used for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract. 35 34. The commercial package of item 33, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU. o6103/12 - 42 35. A commercial package comprising a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 5 thereof, and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the food can or should be used for at least one kind selected from prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, promotion of gastrointestinal motility function and io prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia. 36. A commercial package comprising a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 15 thereof, and a written matter associated therewith, the written matter stating that the food can or should be used for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract. 20 37. The commercial package of item 36, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 38. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an agent for the prophylaxis or 25 improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 30 39. The use of item 38, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 40. The use of item 39, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and 35 ornithine. 41. The use of item 39, wherein the basic amino acid is 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.1 6/03/12 - 43 arginine. 42. The use of item 38, wherein the active ingredient is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 5 43. The use of any one of items 38 to 42, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 10 44. The use of item 43, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 45. The use of any one of items 38 to 44, wherein a daily is dose of the active ingredient to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 46. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an agent for the promotion of 20 gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 25 47. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 30 thereof. 48. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of an NO and/or serotonin release promoter specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which 35 comprises, as an active ingredient, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. 319470 1 _ (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 16oa 1 - 44 49. The use of item 48, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 5 50. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt 10 thereof. 51. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises at least one is kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 52. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for promoting release of NO 20 and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 25 53. The use of item 52, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 54. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or a salt thereof for the production of a food for the prophylaxis or 30 improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, S'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 35 55. The use of item 54, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 3 19470 1_I (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 16/03/12 - 45 56. The use of item 55, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 5 57. The use of item 55, wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. 58. The use of item 54, wherein said compound is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 10 59. The use of any one of items 54 to 58, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 15 60. The use of item 59, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 61. The use of any one of items 54 to 60, wherein the 20 daily dose of said compound to an adult is 0.01 g - 20 g. 62. The use of any one of items 54 to 61, wherein the content of said compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. 25 63. The use of item 62, wherein the food is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. 64. The use of item 63, wherein said food with health claims is a food for specified health uses or a food with 30 nutrient function claims. 65. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind 35 selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 319470 1 _I (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 16/0312 - 46 66. The method of item 65, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 5 67. The method of item 66, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 68. The method of item 66, wherein the basic amino acid i0 is arginine. 69. The.method of item 65, which comprises administering an effective amount of an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 15 70. The method of any one of items 65 to 69, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 20 71. The method of item 70, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 72. The method of any one of items 65 to 71, wherein the 25 effective amount to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 73. A method of promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group 30 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 74. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises administering an effective 35 amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 3194701_ I (GHMatters) P73742.AU.1 6/03/12 - 47 75. A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind 5 selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof to a subject of administration. 76. The method of item 75, wherein said gastrointestinal 10 tract is stomach. 77. A method for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group 15 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 78. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia, which comprises taking a food comprising at 20 least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and a salt thereof. 79. A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release 25 specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. 30 80. The method of item 79, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 81. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises 35 taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and a salt thereof. 319470 1_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.I 6/03112 - 48 82. The method of item 81, wherein said salt is a salt with basic amino acid. 5 83. The method of item 82, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 84. The method of item 82, wherein the basic amino acid 10 is arginine. 85. The method of item 81, wherein said compound is an arginine salt with glutamic acid. 15 86. The method of any one of items 81 to 85, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 87. The method of item 86, wherein said upper 20 gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 88. The method of any one of items 81 to 87, which comprises taking a food wherein a daily intake of said 25 compound to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 89. The method of any one of items 77 to 88, which comprises taking a food wherein the content of said compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%. 30 90. The method of item 89, wherein the food is a food with health claims or a dietary supplement. 91. The method of item 90, wherein said food with health 35 claims is a food for specified health uses or a food with nutrient function claims. 319470 11 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.1 603/12

Claims (35)

1. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 5 production of an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

2. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 10 production of an agent for the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function.

3. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 15 production of an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of dysphagia.

4. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 20 production of an NO and/or serotonin release promoter specific to the gastrointestinal tract.

5. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises 25 administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' nucleotide and salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid to a subject of administration. 30

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said salt of 5' nucleotide is a salt with basic amino acid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine 35 and ornithine.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the basic amino acid is arginine. 319470 1_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 1 7/03/12 - 50

9. The method of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper gastrointestinal dysfunction. 5

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

11. The method of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the 10 effective amount to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g.

12. A method of promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group 15 consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid to a subject of administration.

13. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of 20 dysphagia, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid to a subject of administration. 25

14. A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises administering an effective amount of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' 30 nucleotide and salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid to a subject of administration.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 35

16. A method for promoting gastrointestinal motility function, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and salts 319470 1_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.1 7103/12 - 51 thereof, excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid.

17. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of 5 dysphagia, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide and salts thereof, excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid. 10

18. A method for promoting an NO and/or serotonin release specific to the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' is nucleotide and salts thereof, excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said gastrointestinal tract is stomach. 20

20. A method for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, which comprises taking a food comprising at least one kind of compound selected from the group consisting of glutamic acid, 5' 25 nucleotide and salts thereof, excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said salt of 5' nucleotide is a salt with basic amino acid. 30

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the basic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine and ornithine. 35

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the basic amino acid is arginine.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein said functional gastrointestinal disorder is upper 40 gastrointestinal dysfunction. 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU.] 7/03112 - 52

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said upper gastrointestinal dysfunction is functional dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease. 5

26. The method of any one of claims 20 to 25, which comprises taking a food wherein a daily intake of said compound to an adult is 0.01 g to 20 g. 10

27. The method of any one of claims 16 to 26, which comprises taking a food wherein the content of said compound is 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the food is a food 15 with health claims or a dietary supplement.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said food with health claims is a food for specified health uses or a food with nutrient function claims. 20

30. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the production of an agent for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, wherein the 25 agent comprises arginine or a salt thereof excluding arginine glutamate.

31. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 30 production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder.

32. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 35 production of a food for the promotion of gastrointestinal motility function.

33. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 40 production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of 319470 1_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 1 703112 - 53 dysphagia.

34. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 5 production of a food for promoting release of NO and/or serotonin specific to the gastrointestinal tract.

35. Use of glutamic acid, 5'-nucleotide or salts thereof excluding basic amino acid salts of glutamic acid for the 10 production of a food for the prophylaxis or improvement of a functional gastrointestinal disorder, wherein the agent comprises arginine or a salt thereof excluding arginine glutamate. 3194701_1 (GHMatters) P73742.AU. 7n03112