Probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of functional constipation in the elderly individuals

doi:10.4292/wjgpt.v16.i2.105242

Advanced Search

BPG is committed to discovery and dissemination of knowledge

Home / Archive / Volume 16, Issue 2

This Article

Peer-Review Report of This Article

CrossCheck and Google Search of This Article

Academic Rules and Norms of This Article

Citation of this article

Corresponding Author of This Article

Research Domain of This Article

Article-Type of This Article

Open-Access Policy of This Article

Times Cited Counts in Google of This Article

Number of Hits and Downloads for This Article

Total Article Views (3896)

All Articles published online

The chart showing PDF series, HTML series, Tables (1-1) series.

Item

Count

PDF

136

HTML

2020

Tables (1-1)

367

Sum=2523

Featured Article

The chart showing Browse series, Download series.

Item

Count

Browse

185

Download

553

Sum=738

Publishing Process of This Article

Item

Count

Browse

104

Download

405

Sum=509

Jun 5, 2025 (publication date) through Mar 2, 2026

Times Cited of This Article

Times Cited (0)

Journal Information of This Article

Publication Name

World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics

ISSN

2150-5349

Publisher of This Article

Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Minireviews

World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Jun 5, 2025; 16(2): 105242
Published online Jun 5, 2025. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v16.i2.105242

Probiotics and prebiotics in the treatment of functional constipation in the elderly individuals

Li Xu, Jian-Tang Guo, Jing Zhao, Ming-He Liu, Chen Mo

Li Xu, Jian-Tang Guo, Jing Zhao, Ming-He Liu, Chen Mo, Department of Gerontology, The Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100039, China

Author contributions: Xu L, Guo LT, Zhao J and Liu MH performed the research; Xu L and Mo C wrote the paper; Mo C designed the research study; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.

Corresponding author: Chen Mo, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Gerontology, The Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, No. 69 Beijing Yongding Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100039, China. mchen@sohu.com

Received: January 16, 2025
Revised: February 28, 2025
Accepted: March 20, 2025
Published online: June 5, 2025
Processing time: 138 Days and 22.1 Hours

Abstract

Functional constipation (FC) in elderly individuals is a significant health issue that adversely affects their quality of life, with recent studies indicating a close relationship between this condition and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This review aims to explore the role of the gut microbiota in FC in elderly individuals, analyze the mechanisms of the gut-brain axis, and evaluate the potential use of microecological agents, including probiotics and prebiotics, in modulating the gut microbiota and alleviating constipation symptoms. By integrating the latest research findings, this study seeks to provide new perspectives and intervention strategies for the management of FC in elderly individuals.

Keywords: Functional constipation; Elderly; Gut microbiota; Microbiota dysbiosis; Gut-brain axis; Probiotics; Prebiotic

Core Tip: Probiotics and prebiotics may play a significant role in managing functional constipation (FC) in elderly individuals by modulating gut microbiota and alleviating symptoms. The interplay between gut microbiota dysbiosis and the gut-brain axis further complicates FC, necessitating a multifaceted treatment approach that includes microecological agents to enhance gut health and improve the quality of life for older adults. Recent studies have highlighted the potential use of probiotics and prebiotics in managing FC, particularly in the elderly individuals.