subsp. TG11 ameliorates loperamide-induced constipation in mice by modulating gut microbiota.

INTRODUCTION

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that can affect quality of life. Probiotics have garnered substantial attention for their potential to alleviate constipation. This study investigates the preventive effects of subsp. TG11 on loperamide-induced constipation in mice.

METHODS

Mice were randomly assigned to normal control (NC), constipation model (CM), and low, medium, and high-dose TG11 treatment groups (LG, MG, HG). From days 1-14, LG, MG, and HG groups received 10, 10, and 10 CFU/mouse of TG11, respectively, while NC and CM groups received saline. On day 14, all groups except NC were administered loperamide (4 mg/kg) orally to induce constipation. Fecal samples were collected for short-chain fatty acid and gut microbiota analyses. Following a 16-hour fasting period, various parameters were assessed on day 15, including intestinal motility, fecal water content, defecation status, gut peptide levels in blood, and mRNA expression levels of and in colonic tissue.

RESULTS

TG11 significantly enhanced intestinal motility and maintained fecal water content. It normalized blood levels of MTL, SP, SS, ET-1, Gas, and VIP in constipated mice, promoted short-chain fatty acid production, and improved microbial metabolism. TG11 markedly upregulated mRNA expression of and in colonic tissue. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that TG11 modulated gut microbiota composition, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, particularly _sp. and .

DISCUSSION

subsp. TG11 demonstrates efficacy in ameliorating constipation, potentially through modulation of the gut microbiota composition.