Clinical trial shows constipation drug can treat patients with chronic kidney disease (Lubiprostone)

Medical Xpress / Tohoku University / Science Advances ^ | Aug. 29, 2025 | Shun Watanabe et al

[ConservativeMind]

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue worldwide. Many patients end up requiring regular dialysis to avoid kidney failure and stay alive. Despite the severity of the condition, there are currently no drugs available that improve kidney function.

A research group has found a remarkable solution to treat patients with CKD by co-opting a drug typically used for constipation. This is the first time that this drug (lubiprostone) was shown to prevent the decline of renal function in patients with CKD.

"We noticed that constipation is a symptom that often accompanies CKD, and decided to investigate this link further," explains Abe. "Essentially, constipation disrupts the intestinal microbiota, which worsens kidney function. Working backwards, we hypothesized that we could improve kidney function by treating constipation."

To address this issue, the group conducted a multicenter Phase II clinical trial (LUBI-CKD TRIAL) at nine Japanese medical institutions, enrolling 150 patients with moderate CKD. This study evaluated the effects of lubiprostone on kidney function.

The results showed that, compared to the placebo group, the decline in kidney function (defined as the estimated glomerular filtration rate: eGFR) was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner in patients treated with 8 µg or 16 µg of lubiprostone.

The researchers also investigated the mechanism underlying how this effect occurred. They found that lubiprostone increases spermidine production, which improves mitochondrial function by promoting bacterial growth in the gut. The improved mitochondrial function was seen to exert a renoprotective effect—suppressing further kidney damage.

This discovery has the potential to significantly transform the conventional approach to CKD treatment, which primarily focuses on reducing uremic toxins.

These findings suggest a new therapeutic strategy in which laxatives suppress renal function decline. This strategy is expected to contribute to the development of treatments for not only CKD, but also mitochondrial dysfunction disorders.

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:

[ConservativeMind]

Lubiprostone is also known as “Amitiza.” It addresses chronic kidney disease progression “by increasing spermidine production, which improves mitochondrial function by promoting bacterial growth in the gut.”

Do note that spermidine is available as a supplement, as well. It may be possible that could also help.

[ConservativeMind]

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[ConservativeMind]

It also appears kidney function declines because of ongoing constipation, strangely enough.

[bobbytunes]

Only to cause another problem.

[Veto!]

I always avoid BigPharma drugs.

Constipation is directly related to what you eat.
Avoid all saturated fats: Butter, beef, pork, etc etc. And eat plenty of veggies and fruit. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a good fat. Cook with it, put it on steamed potatoes with a little parsley sprinkled on top.

Wildcaught Alaskan Salmon (Safeway has such a deal in the freezer),.skinless organic chicken thighs have a little but not much, tofu is ok too. Tofu tastes like nothing so I buy Sweet Chili Sauce from Trader Joe and drizzle it on sliced, browned tofu. Lots of sauce choices in stores.

As for bacterial growth in the gut, I eat nonfat yogurt every night for dessert. Fave comes from Trader Joe.

I’m probably older than you are, just met friend’s daughtrs visiting from Munich, they thought I was 30 years younger than I am. I seriously love living.

[Myrddin]

Amitiza is prescribed as a part of the "colon prep" for a colonoscopy. It works by increasing the permeability of the colon wall to flood the colon with fluid. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of people who have another reaction. The lining of the lungs also becomes permeable and flooded with fluid. It can result in death by drowning in your own fluid. I discovered this by accident and spent 8 hours on my hands and knees coughing fluid from my lungs so that I could breath. Suffice to say I will NEVER take Amitiza again.

[kelly4c]

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[Paperpusher]

.

[DAC21]

“Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a good fat. Cook with it, put it on steamed potatoes with a little parsley sprinkled on top”

No thanks. Kerrygold Butter is going on my baked potato tonight. LOL

[sauropod]

Bkmk