Ruminococcus bromii alleviates constipation by pullulanase-driven resistant starch degradation and microbiota modulation
Constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder associated with alterations in the gut microbiota. However, the potential microbial targets and their underlying mechanisms remain to be explored. Our analysis found the genus Ruminococcus was depleted in constipated patients. We then tested four species, R. bromii, R. torques, R. obeum, and R. gnavus, in constipated mice, finding all alleviated symptoms. R. bromii was most effective, with its pullulanase enzyme being key to degrading resistant starch. This degradation boosted short-chain fatty acid production and fostered beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium. A subsequent clinical trial confirmed that the constipation-relieving effect of dietary resistant starch was dependent on the presence and abundance of R. bromii in the gut. This study identifies R. bromii as a key microbial mediator for constipation relief through resistant starch metabolism, positioning it as a promising candidate for targeted probiotic or synbiotic therapies.
Authors
- Huaijie Jia
- Zhi Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8695-9276)
- Guo‐Xing Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0647-4699)
- Kun Tian
- Aihua Guo
- Huaping Xie (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1474-2470)
- Wei Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2936-2972)
- Rong Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6177-2246)
- Wei‐Hua Chen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5160-4398)
- Qin Yu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6693-7299)
- Qianqian Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9334-7788)
- Qiang Ding (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6866-0860)
- Hongju Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7310-9072)
- Dezheng Xu
- Man Gu
- Jian He (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3557-9505)
- Min Li (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8786-5629)
Institutions
- Kunming Medical University (CN)
- Nanfang Hospital (CN)
- Xiaogan First People's Hospital (CN)
- Hubei University of Arts and Science (CN)
- Xiangyang Central Hospital (CN)
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (CN)
- Shanghai Chengtou (China) (CN)
- Tongji Hospital (CN)
- Huangshi Central Hospital (CN)
- Huazhong University of Science and Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Published
- 2025-12-14
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00877-6
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Gut microbiota and health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.81
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province
- Kunming Medical University