Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites
BackgroundAlthough 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.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber on FC symptoms, whil...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1579668/full |
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| author | Pei Xiao Ting Song Xiao Lu Li Yong Mei Xiao Rui Xue Wang Fei Fei Song Dan Li Ai Hua Zhang Ying Wang Ting Zhang Ting Zhang |
| author_facet | Pei Xiao Ting Song Xiao Lu Li Yong Mei Xiao Rui Xue Wang Fei Fei Song Dan Li Ai Hua Zhang Ying Wang Ting Zhang Ting Zhang |
| author_sort | Pei Xiao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundAlthough 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.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber on FC symptoms, while identifying modulations in gut microbiota and associated metabolic changes.ResultsBetween 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 Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, Lactococcus, Prevotella, and Anaerofustis significantly increased, whereas Enterobacter, DTU089, and Sutterella 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.ConclusionIn 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.Clinical trials registrationChiCTR2400084125. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06fbb4f6bcd9461aac4c0add1aa9bd1a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-06fbb4f6bcd9461aac4c0add1aa9bd1a2025-08-20T03:17:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-07-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15796681579668Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolitesPei Xiao0Ting Song1Xiao Lu Li2Yong Mei Xiao3Rui Xue Wang4Fei Fei Song5Dan Li6Ai Hua Zhang7Ying Wang8Ting Zhang9Ting Zhang10Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaShanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaNanxiang Branch Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, ChinaDivision of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Xin Hua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaInstitute of Pediatric Infection, Immunity and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, ChinaBackgroundAlthough 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.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary fiber on FC symptoms, while identifying modulations in gut microbiota and associated metabolic changes.ResultsBetween 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 Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group, Lactococcus, Prevotella, and Anaerofustis significantly increased, whereas Enterobacter, DTU089, and Sutterella 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.ConclusionIn 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.Clinical trials registrationChiCTR2400084125.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1579668/fullFCdietary Fibergut microbiotametaboliteschildren |
| spellingShingle | Pei Xiao Ting Song Xiao Lu Li Yong Mei Xiao Rui Xue Wang Fei Fei Song Dan Li Ai Hua Zhang Ying Wang Ting Zhang Ting Zhang Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites Frontiers in Nutrition FC dietary Fiber gut microbiota metabolites children |
| title | Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| title_full | Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| title_fullStr | Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| title_short | Effects of dietary fiber on Chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| title_sort | effects of dietary fiber on chinese children with functional constipation and targeted modification of gut microbiota and related metabolites |
| topic | FC dietary Fiber gut microbiota metabolites children |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1579668/full |
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