Xiao Pei, Song Ting, Li Xiao Lu, Xiao Yong Mei, Wang Rui Xue, Song Fei Fei, Li Dan, Zhang Ai Hua, Wang Ying, Zhang Ting
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
Front Nutr. 2025 Jul 14;12:1579668. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1579668. eCollection 2025.
Although dietary fiber is widely recommended for preventing and treating functional constipation (FC), clinical trial evidence remains limited and the efficacy has not been sufficiently tested in children.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber on FC symptoms, while identifying modulations in gut microbiota and associated metabolic changes.
Between January 1, 2024, and June 1, 2024, a total of 60 patients diagnosed with FC were enrolled in the study across three centers; however, 54 children completed the study. The final cohort consisted of 28 boys and 26 girls, aged 6 to 12 years (mean age: 8.4 ± 1.8 years). Following the dietary fiber intervention, a significant increase in the frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs) was observed, accompanied by improved stool consistency. Scores for abdominal pain, bloating, and straining showed significant reductions. After 4 weeks of dietary fiber treatment, both richness and diversity of gut microbiota were significantly enhanced. At the genus level, the relative abundances of , , , and significantly increased, whereas , , and showed significant decreases. Metabolic analysis revealed significant profile alterations. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis identified metabolite-associated pathways, including steroid hormone biosynthesis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. Pearson correlation analysis established correlations among dietary fiber, gut microbiota, metabolites, and constipation relief. No significant adverse effects were observed.
In conclusion, our findings indicate that dietary fiber alleviates constipation and is accompanied by intervention-specific alterations in gut microbiota and metabolites. This research elucidates the interrelationships between constipation, gut microbiota, and metabolites. These insights may enhance our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of FC and provide novel therapeutic perspectives.
ChiCTR2400084125.
尽管膳食纤维被广泛推荐用于预防和治疗功能性便秘（FC），但其临床试验证据仍然有限，且在儿童中的疗效尚未得到充分验证。
本研究旨在评估膳食纤维对FC症状的影响，同时确定肠道微生物群的调节变化及相关的代谢改变。
在2024年1月1日至2024年6月1日期间，三个中心共有60例被诊断为FC的患者纳入研究；然而，54名儿童完成了研究。最终队列包括28名男孩和26名女孩，年龄在6至12岁之间（平均年龄：8.4±1.8岁）。膳食纤维干预后，完全自发排便（CSBMs）频率显著增加，同时粪便稠度得到改善。腹痛、腹胀和排便费力的评分显著降低。膳食纤维治疗4周后，肠道微生物群的丰富度和多样性均显著增强。在属水平上，[具体菌属名称1]、[具体菌属名称2]、[具体菌属名称3]和[具体菌属名称4]的相对丰度显著增加，而[具体菌属名称5]、[具体菌属名称6]和[具体菌属名称7]则显著减少。代谢分析显示代谢谱有显著改变。京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）富集分析确定了与代谢物相关的途径，包括类固醇激素生物合成、α-亚麻酸代谢和核苷酸代谢。Pearson相关性分析确定了膳食纤维、肠道微生物群、代谢物和便秘缓解之间的相关性。未观察到明显的不良反应。
总之，我们的研究结果表明膳食纤维可缓解便秘，并伴有肠道微生物群和代谢物的特异性改变。本研究阐明了便秘、肠道微生物群和代谢物之间的相互关系。这些见解可能会增进我们对FC致病机制的理解，并提供新的治疗视角。
ChiCTR2400084125
