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Effects of a prebiotic formulation on the composition of the faecal microbiota of people with functional constipation

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Abstract

Purpose

Prebiotics are defined as substances which selectively promote beneficial gut microbes leading to a health benefit for the host. Limited trials have been carried out investigating their effect on the microbiota composition of individuals afflicted by functional constipation with equivocal outcomes. In a 21-day randomised, controlled clinical trial involving 61 adults with functional constipation, a prebiotic formulation with partially hydrolysed guar gum and acacia gum as its main ingredients, significantly increased complete spontaneous bowel motions in the treatment group. This follow-up exploratory analysis investigated whether the prebiotic was associated with changes to the composition, richness, and diversity of the faecal microbiota.

Methods

Participants provided a faecal specimen at baseline and on day 21 of the intervention period. Whole genome metagenomic shotgun sequencing comprehensively assessed taxonomic and functional composition of the microbiota.

Results

Linear mixed effects regression models adjusted for potential confounders showed a significant reduction in species richness of 28.15 species (95% CI − 49.86, − 6.43) and Shannon diversity of 0.29 units (95% CI − 0.56, − 0.02) over the trial period in the prebiotic group. These changes were not observed in the control group, and functional composition was unchanged in both groups.

Conclusion

In adults with functional constipation, the intake of a prebiotic formulation was associated with a decline of species richness and Shannon diversity. Further research regarding the associations between prebiotics and the composition and function of the gut microbiota is warranted.

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Data availability

The datasets generated for this study are available on request to the corresponding author.

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Funding

Rene Erhardt was supported by a postgraduate scholarship of the University of Queensland.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Rene Erhardt, Elizabeth Steels, Meng-Wong Taing & Kathryn J. Steadman

  2. Evidence Sciences Pty. Ltd., New Farm, Australia

    Elizabeth Steels

  3. School of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Joanna E. Harnett

  4. School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street , Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia

    Rene Erhardt

Authors
  1. Rene Erhardt
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  2. Elizabeth Steels
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  3. Joanna E. Harnett
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  4. Meng-Wong Taing
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  5. Kathryn J. Steadman
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Contributions

R. Erhardt contributed to the conception, design, and interpretation of the research. MW. Taing developed the LMER models. All authors contributed to the design and drafting of the manuscript. All authors critically revised the manuscript, agree to be fully accountable for ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the work, and read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rene Erhardt.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the guidelines of the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia. Ethics approval was obtained from the National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Human Research Ethics Committee (approval number 0075E_2020) and ratified by the Office of Research Ethics of The University of Queensland (2020002481 / 0074E_2020). The trial was registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12620001247965.

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Erhardt, R., Steels, E., Harnett, J.E. et al. Effects of a prebiotic formulation on the composition of the faecal microbiota of people with functional constipation. Eur J Nutr 63, 777–784 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03292-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-023-03292-9

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