Modulation of Intestinal Smooth Muscle Cell Function by BL-99 Postbiotics in Functional Constipation

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology
• Functional Foods

Background:

• Postbiotics are gaining interest for food applications and health benefits.
• Their mechanisms for alleviating constipation are not fully understood.
• Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 (BL-99) derived postbiotics were investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of BL-99 postbiotics on functional constipation (FC).
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action.
• To identify specific bioactive components responsible for the effects.

Main Methods:

• In vivo and in vitro models were used to assess FC.
• Intestinal motility, fecal water content, and smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis were measured.
• Contractile responses and proliferation of intestinal SMCs were analyzed.
• Untargeted metabolomics identified bioactive peptides.

Main Results:

• BL-99 and its postbiotics significantly alleviated FC symptoms.
• Intestinal motility and fecal water content were enhanced.
• Intestinal muscular layer thickness increased, and SMC apoptosis decreased.
• BL-99 postbiotics promoted SMC proliferation and enhanced contractile responses.
• Glu-Val and Glu-Leu peptides were identified as key active components.

Conclusions:

• BL-99 postbiotics demonstrate significant efficacy in ameliorating functional constipation.
• These postbiotics act by enhancing intestinal motility and regulating intestinal SMC function.
• The identified peptides Glu-Val and Glu-Leu are crucial for the observed effects.
• BL-99 postbiotics represent a promising functional food ingredient for constipation management.