Common Constipation Drug Can Help Halt Kidney Decline: Study

A simple constipation medicine might end up doing something far more important than easing digestion. A group of researchers in Japan has found that lubiprostone, a drug many people already use for bowel issues, could actually help slow down kidney deterioration in those living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s an unexpected connection, but one that’s getting a lot of attention because CKD usually gets worse over time and often leaves people dependent on dialysis.The idea for the study came from a basic observation: a lot of CKD patients also deal with constipation. At first glance, the two problems don’t seem related, but long-term constipation can disturb the balance of bacteria in the gut. When the gut is out of sync, it can put additional

pressure on the kidneys. The research team wondered if doing something as simple as improving bowel movement could make a difference to kidney health.To find out, they ran a clinical trial in nine medical centres across Japan. Around 150 people with moderate CKD took part. Some were given either 8 or 16 micrograms of lubiprostone, while the rest received a placebo. Over time, the group taking the drug showed a noticeably slower drop in their eGFR levels — a key number that reflects how well the kidneys are filtering waste. The results suggest that the drug helped preserve kidney function, even if only slightly.The researchers then dug deeper to understand what was happening inside the body. Turns out, the drug ramped up levels of spermidine, a natural compound that helps mitochondria work better. Because mitochondria are the “energy factories” of cells, better mitochondrial function can reduce stress on the kidneys. Lubiprostone also encouraged the growth of good gut bacteria, adding another layer of protection. So, it looks like the real benefit comes from boosting gut health, and that ends up giving the kidneys a break.With these early results looking positive, the team is now preparing for a much larger Phase III trial. They’re also trying to figure out which patients are most likely to respond to this kind of treatment, so doctors can tailor therapies more effectively. This marks a shift from the usual CKD approach, which mostly focuses on reducing harmful toxins rather than strengthening the body’s internal systems.While it’s too soon to call lubiprostone a kidney medication, the study does open the door to new possibilities. If something as simple as a gut-targeting drug can slow kidney decline, similar treatments might help people with other conditions that involve mitochondrial problems as well.