Abstract
- Background
The benefits of probiotics for constipation are widely accepted, but the mechanisms involving gut metabolites remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on constipated patients and evaluated whether a specific metabolite mediator is involved in the probiotic-induced alleviation of constipation.
- Methods
Sixteen constipated patients and twenty-two non-constipated participants were recruited. Subjects consumed 100 milliliters of a Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota beverage containing 10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter daily for 28 days. Fecal non-volatile metabolites were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and targeted metabolites were further verified using a constipated mouse model to assess intestinal propulsive rates, fecal pellet output, and underlying neurotransmitter involvement.
- Results
In constipated patients, the intervention significantly improved defecation frequency, stool consistency, and overall constipation-related symptoms. A total of fourteen non-volatile fecal metabolites were identified as potential constipation-related metabolites regulated by the probiotic. Among these, pipecolinic acid showed a significant positive correlation with defecation frequency in patients. In constipated mice, pipecolinic acid significantly promoted the small intestinal propulsive rate and increased the number of fecal pellets, with colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine and acetylcholine partially mediating the response.
- Conclusions
Pipecolinic acid acts as a key metabolic mediator in the gut participating in the constipation alleviation induced by Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6394200/