Microbial treatment in chronic constipation

Sci China Life Sci. 2018 Jul;61(7):744-752. doi: 10.1007/s11427-017-9220-7. Epub 2018 Jan 23.

Abstract

Chronic functional constipation is a kind of common intestinal disease that occurs in children, adults and elderly people. This disease not only causes great influence to physiological function, but also results in varying degrees of psychological barriers. At present, constipation treatments continue to rely on traditional methods such as purgative therapy and surgery. However, these approaches can disrupt intestinal function. Recent research between intestinal diseases and gut microbiota has gradually revealed a connection between constipation and intestinal flora disturbance, providing a theoretical basis for microbial treatment in chronic constipation. Microbial treatment mainly includes probiotic preparations such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Due to its safety, convenience and curative effect, probiotic preparations have been widely accepted, especially gradually developed FMT with higher curative effects. Microbial treatment improves clinical symptoms, promotes the recovery of intestinal flora, and has no complications during the treatment process. Compared with traditional treatments, microbial treatment in chronic constipation has advantages, and is worthy of further promotion from clinical research to clinical application.

Keywords: FMT; constipation; prebiotics; probiotics; synbiotics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease / therapy
  • Constipation / epidemiology
  • Constipation / therapy*
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Safety
  • Treatment Outcome