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Adjunctive efficacy of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 for functional constipation in children
Ke Chen1, Zengyuan Zhou2, Yang Nie3
1Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Chengdu Women's & Children's Central Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China. kechen@uestc.edu.cn.
Insights
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 significantly improved fecal frequency in children with functional constipation. This probiotic intervention also led to beneficial gut microbiota shifts and regulated key metabolic pathways.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Probiotic Therapeutics
Background:
- Functional constipation (FC) significantly impacts children's physical and mental well-being.
- Current treatments for FC in children require further optimization for efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 in treating functional constipation in children.
- To investigate the impact of XLTG11 on fecal gut microbiota composition and function.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with children diagnosed with FC.
- Participants received conventional treatment with either XLTG11 (intervention group) or a placebo (control group).
- Fecal frequency was the primary outcome; gut microbiota and gene family abundances were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed a significantly higher weekly fecal frequency compared to the control group post-intervention.
- Gut microbiota analysis revealed a shift towards Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Escherichia coli in the intervention group.
- PICRUSt analysis indicated upregulation of short-chain fatty acid (SCF) metabolism genes and downregulation of methane metabolism genes.
Conclusions:
- Daily administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 (1 × 10^10 CFU/day) is effective and safe for improving fecal frequency in children with FC.
- XLTG11 promotes beneficial changes in the gut microbiota and modulates key metabolic pathways, including SCF and methane metabolism.
- This probiotic offers a promising therapeutic option for managing pediatric functional constipation.
Abstract:
Functional constipation (FC) can seriously affect the physical and mental health of children. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis XLTG11 in treating FC in children through a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled approach. Eligible children were randomized into either the intervention group (IG, n = 65, receiving conventional treatment with probiotics) or the control group (CG, n = 66, receiving conventional treatment without probiotics). The primary outcome measure was fecal frequency. Fecal gut microbiota analysis and PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) were used to predict gene family abundances based on 16S information. Over the course of treatment, the weekly frequency of feces within each group increased significantly (F = 41.97, p < 0.001). The frequency of feces (times/week (t/w)) in the IG was significantly higher than that in the CG (3.69 ± 2.62 t/w vs.3.18 ± 1.43 t/w, 4.03 ± 2.54 t/w vs. 2.89 ± 1.39 t/w and 3.74 ± 2.36 t/w vs. 2.94 ± 1.18 t/w and 3.45 ± 1.98 vs. 3.17 ± 1.41 t/w for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th week after intervention, respectively) (F = 7.60, p = 0.0067). After the intervention, dominate species shifted to Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Escherichia coli in the IG. Additionally, genes related to short-chain fatty acid (SCF) metabolism were upregulated, while methane metabolism was downregulated. Administration of XLTG11 at a dose of 1 × 1010 CFU/day to children increased fecal frequency, induced beneficial changes in gut microbiota, and regulated SCFs and methane metabolism-related genes.
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