The Different Ways Multi-Strain Probiotics with Different Ratios of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus Relieve Constipation Induced by Loperamide in Mice

Abstract

Constipation is currently one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, and its causes are diverse. Multi-strain probiotics are often considered a more effective treatment than single-strain probiotics. In this study, a constipation model was constructed using loperamide hydrochloride to evaluate the ability of a multi-strain probiotic combination of four different ratios of <i>Bifidobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i> to regulate intestinal flora, relieve constipation, and explore the initial mechanism in mice. After four weeks of probiotic intervention, BM1, BM2, and PB2 effectively relieved constipation; however, the pathways involved were different. The <i>Bifidobacteria</i>-dominated formulations BM1 and BM2 mainly changed the composition and structure of the intestinal flora and significantly decreased the relative abundance of <i>Tyzzerella</i>, <i>Enterorhabdus</i>, <i>Faecalibaculum</i>, <i>Gordonibacter</i>, and <i>Mucispirillum</i> in stool; increased the relative abundance of <i>Parabacteroides</i> and the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in stool; restored motilin (MTL) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels; and downregulated interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels in serum. This repaired the inflammatory response caused by constipation. Finally, it promoted peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing stool water content, and relieving constipation. While <i>Lactobacillus</i>-dominated formula PB2 mainly restored the levels of serum neurotransmitters (MTL, SP (substance P), VIP and PYY (Peptide YY)) and inflammatory factors (IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8), it significantly decreased the relative abundance of <i>Tyzzerella</i>, <i>Enterorhabdus</i>, <i>Faecalibaculum</i>, <i>Gordonibacter</i> and <i>Mucispirillum</i> in stool; it then increased acetic acid content, thereby reducing the level of inflammation and changing stool properties and gastrointestinal motility.