Weizmannia coagulans relieves constipation via microbiome modulation

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition​ investigated the effects of four weeks of Weizmannia coagulans​ BC99 supplementation on the alleviation of chronic constipation.

The authors noted the group treated with the probiotic powder (2 billion CFU, provided by Wecare Probiotics Co., in China) saw changes in Bifidobacterium​ and Ruminococcus​, microbiota linked to crucial metabolic pathways like glutathione metabolism and inflammation.

“After four weeks of treatment, compared to the placebo group, Weizmannia coagulans​ BC99 effectively elevated the bowel movements, improving stool consistency, relieving constipation symptoms, and enhancing patients’ quality of life in patients with chronic constipation,” the authors concluded. “The potential mechanism of Weizmannia coagulans​ BC99 effective regulation may be associated with regulated intestinal bacteria (Bifidobacterium​) and the vital metabolic pathway of glutathione metabolism involving in inflammatory response.”

Weizmannia coagulans​​

Weizmannia coagulans​, initially identified by Russian scientists Horowitz and Wlassowa, is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic bacterium known for its lactic acid and spore production capabilities.

The bacterium generates beneficial metabolites in the intestine, including L-lactic acid, coagulin, lactosporin, amylase, protease, vitamins, amino acids and various short-chain fatty acids, thereby facilitating digestion and absorption, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and regulating intestinal microbiota balance.

BC99, identified as a novel strain of Weizmannia coagulans​, exhibits potent pathogen-inhibiting properties and high biosafety. However, further investigation is warranted to elucidate its efficacy in regulating chronic constipation.

Study details​

The study recruited 101 participants between the ages of 18 and 65 years from the Ninth People’s Hospital of Suzhou, China who had less than three bowel movements per week and/or Bristol Stool Scale types 1 and 2 (hardest).

They were assigned to either a BC99 (2 billion CFU/day) or a placebo (maltodextrin) group and instructed to maintain their regular diet and avoid yogurt, probiotic foods and any products that might influence gastrointestinal microbiota.

The participants recorded daily information on the use of the treatment and bowel-related symptoms. Constipation symptom assessment, Bristol Stool Form Scale, Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL) were completed during specified visit times. Furthermore, the impact on serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration and gut microbiota in patients with chronic constipation was assessed through laboratory testing. 

Resulting data for the BC99 group revealed significant improvement in QOL scores and reductions in PAC-SYM scores from baseline at both the two-week and four-week intervals. The reductions were particularly pronounced by the end of the four-week period, when there was a substantial alleviation of symptoms.

Results from the 16S rRNA sequencing revealed the BC99 group demonstrated an increase in bacterial richness and diversity compared to the placebo group, though not statistically significant.

Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed the abundance of Firmicutes​ was significant decreased and Proteobacteria​’s content was obviously increased by BC99 intervention.

The relative abundance of Ruminococcus​, which is known to possess a pro-inflammatory property, were significantly reduced in the BC99 group.

Compared with the placebo group, the abundance of Bifidobacterium​ was significantly increased and the relative abundance of Collinsella, Ruminococcus​ and other five genus were significantly decreased after BC99 intervention.

"It was clear that BC99 treatment restored the microbial structure, especially the abundance of Bifidobacterium​ genus, in patients with constipation," the report stated.

Bifidobacterium​ and Ruminococcus​ are linked to glutathione which can promote metabolism in the body, help remove waste and toxins from the body and improve the body’s immunity. In addition, glutathione metabolism affects the function of the intestinal barrier regulating oxidative stress and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition​
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1395083​
“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Weizmannia coagulans​ BC99 in the treatment of chronic constipation in adults”
Authors: Wu Ying et al.