New Clinical Trial Demonstrates Constipation Medication's Potential for Treating Chronic Kidney Disease

A groundbreaking clinical trial conducted by researchers at Tohoku University has revealed that a medication commonly used for constipation, lubiprostone, may have therapeutic benefits for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is a global health challenge often leading to dialysis or kidney failure, with limited options to actively improve renal function.

The study, published in Science Advances, involved a multicenter Phase II trial across nine Japanese medical institutions, enrolling 150 patients with moderate CKD. The researchers explored whether addressing constipation could influence kidney health, based on the connection between gut microbiota disruption and kidney function deterioration. Notably, constipation is frequently observed in CKD patients, and its aggravation can worsen renal outcomes.

Results from the trial demonstrated that patients receiving 8 µg or 16 µg of lubiprostone experienced a dose-dependent decrease in the rate of renal function decline, measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), compared to those on placebo. This suggests that lubiprostone has a renoprotective effect. Further investigation uncovered that the drug enhances the production of spermidine, a compound that supports mitochondrial function by fostering beneficial bacterial growth in the gut. Improved mitochondrial health appears to inhibit further kidney damage.

The team plans to proceed with larger Phase III trials to validate these findings and develop predictive biomarkers for treatment success. This innovative approach could shift the conventional focus from solely managing uremic toxins to actively preserving kidney function. The findings also open avenues for using laxatives as a therapeutic strategy to slow CKD progression and potentially benefit mitochondrial health disorders.

This research highlights the promising potential of repurposing existing medications to address complex chronic diseases, emphasizing the importance of gut-kidney interplay in renal health.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-clinical-trial-constipation-drug-patients.html