Abstract
Constipation is a major health problem worldwide that requires effective and safe treatment options. Increasing evidence indicates that disturbances in gut microbiota may be a risk factor for constipation. Administration of lacidophilin tablets shows promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease owing to their immunomodulatory properties and regulation of the gut microbiota. The focus of this study was on investigating the ability of lacidophilin tablets to relieve constipation by modulating the gut microbiome. Rats with loperamide hydrochloride induced constipation were treated with lacidophilin tablets via intragastric administration for ten days. The laxative effect of lacidophilin tablets was then evaluated by investigating the regulation of intestinal microflora and the possible underlying molecular mechanism. Our results reveal that treatment with lacidophilin tablets increased the intestinal advancement rate, fecal moisture content, and colonic AQP3 protein expression. It also improved colonic microflora structure in the colonic contents of model rats mainly by increasing Akkermansia muciniphila and decreasing Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1. Transcriptome analysis indicated that treatment with lacidophilin tablets maintains the immune response in the intestine and promotes recovery of the intestinal mechanical barrier in the constipation model. Our study shows that lacidophilin tablets improve constipation, possibly by promoting Akkermansia colonization and by modulating the intestinal immune response.