Effects and Persistence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and Fructooligosaccharides on Older Adults with Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
- 2025-08
- The journal of nutrition, health & aging 29(8)
- Meina Li
- Qi Zhang
- Wen Zhao
- Juan Chen
- Yinghua Liu
- Limian Zhou
- Yihui Liu
- Langrun Wang
- Yiran Guan
- Jian He
- Qiuyue Jiang
- Zhaozhong Zeng
- Xinmei Guo
- Can Liu
- Liwei Zhang
- Yong Zhang
- Jie Luo
- Wei-Lian Hung
- Jingjing He
- Ran Wang
- PubMed: 40499217
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100598
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 67
- Population
- 67 participants ≥60 years old meeting Rome IV FC criteria
- Methods
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 4 weeks of synbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and fructooligosaccharides [FOS])
- Blinding
- Double-blind
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Funding
- Unclear
Research on effects of synbiotics in older adults with functional constipation (FC) is limited. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a 4-week synbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and fructooligosaccharides [FOS]) intervention in 67 participants ≥60 years old meeting Rome IV FC criteria. Compared to placebo, the synbiotic group showed significant improvements in weekly spontaneous bowel movements (Least squares mean ± standard error: 4.94 ± 0.25 vs. 3.00 ± 0.26, P < 0.001) and whole gut transit time (37.13 ± 3.78 vs. 50.64 ± 4.22 h, P = 0.019), with benefits sustained 2 weeks post-intervention. It also reduced time per toilet attempt and alleviated rectal discomfort symptoms more effectively than placebo. Fecal microbiome analysis revealed increased abundance of beneficial Bifidobacterium species, correlating with symptom improvement (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that BL-99/FOS supplementation ameliorates FC symptoms in older adults, with effects sustained post-discontinuation, potentially mediated through gut microbiota modulation. Further mechanistic investigation is warranted.