Therapeutic Value of Lactobacillus gasseri 345A in Chronic Constipation.
- 2025-03-03
- Neurogastroenterology and motility 37(5)
- PubMed: 40033155
- DOI: 10.1111/nmo.70012
Study Design
- Type
- Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
- Sample size
- n = 40
- Population
- 40 women with functional constipation
- Methods
- After 14 days of baseline recording, treatment with Lactobacillus gasseri or placebo was given over 28 days, with 14 days of follow-up. Outcomes with complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), spontaneous bowel movements, emptying frequency, abdominal pain, time spent for defecation, Bristol stool form scale, use of rescue laxatives, and impact on sex life were investigated.
Background
Chronic constipation is a prevalent, burdensome gastrointestinal disorder whose etiology and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota have been shown between constipated patients and healthy people. Data indicate that these microbial differences contribute to the disorder.Methods
Preclinical studies in mice examined the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri on intestinal motility ex vivo, the reversal of motility inhibition by μ-opioid receptor agonists ex vivo and in vivo in mice, and the effects on capsaicin-stimulated transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in Jurkat cells. Thereafter, a clinical study of 40 women with functional constipation was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus gasseri with a randomized parallel design. After 14 days of baseline recording, treatment with Lactobacillus gasseri or placebo was given over 28 days, with 14 days of follow-up. Outcomes with complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM), spontaneous bowel movements, emptying frequency, abdominal pain, time spent for defecation, Bristol stool form scale, use of rescue laxatives, and impact on sex life were investigated.Key results
In preclinical studies, Lactobacillus gasseri increased intestinal motility in an ex vivo model, reversed the motility inhibition caused by μ-opioid receptor agonist ex vivo and in vivo in mice, and counteracted capsaicin-stimulated activity of TRPV1 in Jurkat cells. In the clinical trial, Lactobacillus gasseri showed a significant reduction in abdominal pain, along with a correlation and tendency for an increased number of CSBM. Few adverse events were encountered.Conclusions and inferences
Treatment with Lactobacillus gasseri can alleviate pain sensations in functional constipation, possibly with an improved bowel-emptying function.Research Insights
| Supplement | Dose | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 | — | Improved Intestinal Motility | Beneficial | Moderate | View source"Lactobacillus gasseri increased intestinal motility in an ex vivo model" |
| Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 | — | Improved Rectal Emptying | Beneficial | Small | View source"along with a correlation and tendency for an increased number of CSBM" |
| Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 | — | Reduced Abdominal Pain | Beneficial | Moderate | View source"Lactobacillus gasseri showed a significant reduction in abdominal pain" |