Bifidobacterium adolescentis Strengthens Gut Barrier in Post-Voyage Functional Constipation.

B. adolescentis was identified as a key microbial biomarker through metagenomic analysis of pre-voyage fecal samples and subsequently isolated for experimental validation.

• Metagenomic analysis was used to identify specific microbial biomarkers associated with post-voyage functional constipation.
• B. adolescentis was isolated from pre-voyage fecal samples for further validation experiments.
• The study focused on strain-specific therapeutic effects of Bifidobacteria, acknowledging that efficacy is strain-dependent.

Oral administration of B. adolescentis significantly improved fecal volume and intestinal motility in mice with post-voyage functional constipation.

• C57BL/6J mice in the experimental group (EG) received fecal suspension treatment following a 12-day navigation period.
• This was subsequently followed by a 12-day oral administration of B. adolescentis.
• After treatment, EG showed significant improvements in fecal volume and intestinal motility compared to controls.

B. adolescentis treatment improved goblet cell counts in the intestinal epithelium of post-voyage constipation mice.

• Goblet cell restoration was observed in the experimental group after 12-day oral administration of B. adolescentis.
• Goblet cell improvement was measured as part of the gut barrier strengthening effect of the probiotic treatment.
• This finding supports the role of B. adolescentis in strengthening the gut barrier.

B. adolescentis treatment reduced pathogenic bacteria including E. coli and Klebsiella while restoring beneficial species.

• Pathogens E. coli and Klebsiella were reduced following B. adolescentis treatment.
• Beneficial species including B. adolescentis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were restored after treatment.
• The treatment reversed microbial ecological imbalance induced by the post-voyage constipation model.

B. adolescentis treatment restored arginine and bile acid metabolism, specifically decreasing Tauro-ursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) content.

• Arginine/bile acid metabolism was restored in the experimental group following B. adolescentis administration.
• TUDCA content was specifically decreased following treatment.
• Metabolic restoration was associated with the reduction in pathogenic bacteria and improvement in constipation symptoms.

B. adolescentis treatment modulated 5-HT4R/Slc8a1 signaling and the Ca2+ signaling pathway in post-voyage constipation mice.

• 5-Hydroxytryptamine 4 Receptor (5-HT4R)/Slc8a1 signaling was decreased following B. adolescentis treatment.
• Ca2+ signaling pathway activity was also reduced after treatment.
• Modulation of these signaling pathways was associated with the improvement in intestinal motility and constipation symptoms.

Prolonged sailing periods contribute to the development of functional constipation, which can significantly impair work efficiency.

• The study used a 12-day navigation period to model post-voyage functional constipation in C57BL/6J mice.
• Fecal suspension from post-voyage subjects was used to establish the constipation model in experimental mice.
• The study frames post-voyage functional constipation as an occupational health concern affecting work efficiency.