Characterization of gut contractility and microbiota in patients with severe chronic constipation

Abstract

Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Its pathogenesis, however, remains largely unclear. The purpose of the present work was to gain an insight into the role of contractility and microbiota in the etiology of CC. To this end, we studied spontaneous and evoked contractile activity of descending colon segments from patients that have undergone surgery for refractory forms of CC. The juxta-mucosal microbiota of these colon samples were characterized with culture-based and 16S rRNA sequencing techniques. In patients with CC the spontaneous colonic motility remained unchanged compared to the control group without dysfunction of intestinal motility. Moreover, contractions induced by potassium chloride and carbachol were increased in both circular and longitudinal colonic muscle strips, thus indicating preservation of contractile apparatus and increased sensitivity to cholinergic nerve stimulation in the constipated intestine. In the test group, the gut microbiota composition was assessed as being typically human, with four dominant bacterial phyla, namely Firmicutes , Bacteroidetes , Proteobacteria , and Actinobacteria , as well as usual representation of the most prevalent gut bacterial genera. Yet, significant inter-individual differences were revealed. The phylogenetic diversity of gut microbiota was not affected by age, sex, or colonic anatomy (dolichocolon, megacolon). The abundance of butyrate-producing genera Roseburia , Coprococcus , and Faecalibacterium was low, whereas conventional probiotic genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria were not decreased in the gut microbiomes of the constipated patients. As evidenced by our study, specific microbial biomarkers for constipation state are absent. The results point to a probable role played by the overall gut microbiota at the functional level. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive characterization of CC pathogenesis, finding lack of disruption of motor activity of colonic smooth muscle cells and insufficiency of particular members of gut microbiota usually implicated in CC.

Short chain fatty acids and colon motility in a mouse model of irritable bowel syndrome

“…The colon segments 5–7 mm length were fixed along the mesenteric border with stainless clips and placed in an organ chamber. The contractile power of isolated colon segments was studied under isometric conditions using a 4-channel isolated organ bath system (Biopac Inc., Goleta, CA, USA) according to our previous study [ 30 , 31 ]. The specimen was suspended upright in the bath (20 ml) with the upper part connected to the tensometric force transducer (TSD125C, Biopac Inc., Goleta, CA, USA) and the lower part fixed on a fastened hook.…”

Improvement of loperamide-induced slow transit constipation by Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1 is mediated by the correction of butyrate production and neurotransmitter profile due to improvement in dysbiosis

“…One human study indicated that Bifidobacteria were not decreased in the gut microbiomes of the constipated patients, but butyrate-producing genera was low [ 25 ]. Butyrate could be one of main factors for the management of constipation.…”

“…In addition to shortened intestinal transit time, decreased water absorption due to suppression of DA production, may contribute to increased fecal water content and reduced hardness observed with BBG9-1 administration observed in the present study. One human study indicated that Bifidobacteria were not decreased in the gut microbiomes of the constipated patients, but butyrate-producing genera was low [25]. Butyrate could be one of main factors for the management of constipation.…”

Current Overview on Clinical Management of Chronic Constipation

“…What is more, Yarullina et al recently reported a lack of motor activity disturbance or dysbiosis in chronic constipation, challenging previous theories and compromising the efficacy of conventional probiotic treatment. However, their study was based only on 20 patients, which means that additional experiments of this matter are needed [ 21 ].…”