Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Z6 Improves Functional Constipation in Infants.

Xiaoni Zhou, Gang Hu, Jingwu Wu, Yunfeng Duan, Bihui Zhu, Wen Deng, Yunfeng Shen, Xiaolin Wang, Shuhui Li, Jing Wei, Chunbo Zhang, Xuewei Lei, Tingtao Chen

Journal: Biotechnology journal 2026;21(5):e70233

PMID: 42068035

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Z6 (L. plantarum Z6) supplementation in infants with functional constipation (FC) and to explore its effects on gut microbiota composition.

STUDY DESIGN

In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 infants diagnosed with FC were enrolled and allocated to receive either L. plantarum Z6 or placebo. Clinical outcomes, including weekly bowel movement frequency, Bristol stool scale scores, and Wexner constipation scores, were assessed. Serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and fecal microbiota profiles were analyzed to evaluate neurogastrointestinal and microbial responses.

RESULTS

L. plantarum Z6 supplementation significantly increased weekly bowel movements and Bristol stool scores while reducing Wexner scores (p < 0.05). Serum 5-HT concentrations were elevated, indicating improved gastrointestinal motility. Gut microbiota analysis revealed enhanced α-diversity, higher abundances of Bifidobacterium, Gemmiger, and Lactobacillus, and reduced Streptococcus. Correlation analysis demonstrated a positive association between L. plantarum Z6 intake and Bifidobacterium enrichment, suggesting targeted modulation of beneficial taxa.

CONCLUSIONS

L. plantarum Z6 is a safe and effective probiotic intervention for infantile functional constipation. The results highlight its potential to improve bowel function and beneficially reshape the gut microbiota, offering a microbiota-targeted therapeutic strategy for pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ID: ChiCTR2300073079.

Address: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Second People's Hospital of Jingdezhen, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China.; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; Second Clinical Medical College, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.; PKUMed-Wisbiom Joint Laboratory for Human Microbiome Research, School of Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.; National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Drugs, Institute of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Jingdezhen for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, the Second People's Hospital of Jingdezhen, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China.; Department of Paediatrics, the Second People's Hospital of Jingdezhen, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China.; Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the Second People's Hospital of Jingdezhen, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China.; School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Drugs, Institute of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.; Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.

DOI: 10.1002/biot.70233

MeSH Terms: Constipation, Probiotics, Humans, Infant, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Male, Female, Feces, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Serotonin, Treatment Outcome