Effects and Persistence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and Fructooligosaccharides on Older Adults with Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Effects and Persistence of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and Fructooligosaccharides on Older Adults with Functional Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Research on effects of synbiotics in older adults with functional constipation (FC) is limited. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a 4-week synbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and fructooligosaccharides [FOS]) intervention in 67 participants ≥60 yea...

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Main Authors: Meina Li, Qi Zhang, Wen Zhao, Juan Chen, Yinghua Liu, Limian Zhou, Yihui Liu, Langrun Wang, Yiran Guan, Jian He, Qiuyue Jiang, Zhaozhong Zeng, Xinmei Guo, Can Liu, Liwei Zhang, Yong Zhang, Jie Luo, Wei-Lian Hung, Jingjing He, Ran Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging
Subjects:
Synbiotics
Probiotics
Functional constipation
Older adults
Gut Microbiota
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S127977072500123X
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Summary:Research on effects of synbiotics in older adults with functional constipation (FC) is limited. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a 4-week synbiotic (Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL-99 and fructooligosaccharides [FOS]) intervention in 67 participants ≥60 years old meeting Rome IV FC criteria. Compared to placebo, the synbiotic group showed significant improvements in weekly spontaneous bowel movements (Least squares mean ± standard error: 4.94 ± 0.25 vs. 3.00 ± 0.26, P < 0.001) and whole gut transit time (37.13 ± 3.78 vs. 50.64 ± 4.22 h, P = 0.019), with benefits sustained 2 weeks post-intervention. It also reduced time per toilet attempt and alleviated rectal discomfort symptoms more effectively than placebo. Fecal microbiome analysis revealed increased abundance of beneficial Bifidobacterium species, correlating with symptom improvement (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that BL-99/FOS supplementation ameliorates FC symptoms in older adults, with effects sustained post-discontinuation, potentially mediated through gut microbiota modulation. Further mechanistic investigation is warranted.
ISSN:1760-4788

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