Alteration of Gut Microbiota and Efficacy of Probiotics in Functional Constipation

Abstract

Article: Change of fecal flora and effectiveness of the short-term VSL#3 probiotic treatment in patients with functional constipation Kim SE, Choi CS, Park KS, et al Functional constipation (FC) is a common symptom-based gastrointestinal (GI) disorder without organic abnormality, the prevalence of which is between 5% and 20% of the general population.1,2 The symptoms of constipation can be severe; thus, this disorder has a significant impact on patient's quality of life. 3The cause of FC remains unclear, especially for slow transit constipation. Alterations of the gut microbiota have been suggested as one possible pathophysiologic mechanism of FC. 4,5 However, the quantitative and/or qualitative changes of the gut microbiota in FC are poorly understood, and many discrepancies exist in the literature.In the current issue of the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Kim et al 6 have published a prospective study in which they investigated the characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with FC using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The authors found that Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species were significantly less abundant in feces from patients with FC compared with healthy controls. However, no significant differences were observed regarding the proportion of Lactobacillus, Escherichia coli and Clostridium species. These results are partially consistent with previous studies that have analyzed the fecal microbiota in patients with FC. 7,8Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have been shown to be significantly less abundant in adult patients with constipation. 8 One study found that patients with constipation predominant-irritable bowel syndrome exhibited significantly less lactate-producing (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) and lactate-utilizing bacteria in their feces compared with controls; moreover, the abundances of H 2 -consuming populations, methanogens and reductive acetogens were also significantly lower in these patients compared with controls. 7 In contrast, a study of children with constipation found that the levels of bifidobacteria and clostridia were increased in

L-Glutamine Supplementation Alleviates Constipation during Late Gestation of Mini Sows by Modifying the Microbiota Composition in Feces

“…Gln supplementation may ameliorate constipation by increasing the energy harvesting capacity by Firmicutes species [48]. Additionally, obese pigs had a higher abundance of Spirochaetes than lean pigs [49], and Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides species were significantly less abundant in feces from patients with functional constipation, as compared with healthy controls [8], which is in agreement with results of the present study. Human adult and infant distal gut microbiomes had significantly higher abundance of Actinobacteria than did the swine microbiome [50].…”

“…Nonetheless, drug use should be avoided during gestation for any reason and not used as a last resort. Thus, alteration to the gut microbiota has been suggested a possible solution to constipation [8], as diet and nutritional status influence the composition and function of gut microbiota and are, therefore, considered potential therapeutic methods to alleviate constipation.…”

Probiotics mixture increases butyrate, and subsequently rescues the nigral dopaminergic neurons from MPTP and rotenone-induced neurotoxicity

“…A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T 4 probiotics have restored the gut microbiota, thus improving the symptoms of constipation [13]. A meta-analysis of probiotic consumption has shown its ability to restore the gut biota and correct dysbiosis [14].…”

Lactobacillus plantarum YS2 (yak yogurt Lactobacillus) exhibited an activity to attenuate activated carbon-induced constipation in male Kunming mice

“…A high tolerance to acid and bile salt means that the lactic acid bacteria can easily pass the stomach and are colonized in the intestinal tract (Bustos et al, 2012). Some studies have reported that probiotics may act as an enhancer to prevent or cure constipation in humans and animals (Indrio et al, 2014;Choi and Chang, 2015;Kim et al, 2015;Tabbers and Benninga, 2015). The live probiotics increased the colonic levels of short-chain fatty acids, which showed a laxative effect by affecting the enteral mucosa (Hu et al, 2013).…”