Constipation Drug Lubiprostone Shows Promise for Slowing Kidney Disease

A clinical trial led by Professor Takaaki Abe at Tohoku University in Japan tested the constipation medication lubiprostone in 150 patients with moderate chronic kidney disease across nine Japanese hospitals. Participants receiving the drug experienced a slower decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with expectations, and higher doses produced a greater benefit. Researchers linked the effect to increased levels of spermidine, which appeared to promote healthier gut bacteria and improve mitochondrial function in kidney cells, suggesting a gut‑kidney axis mechanism.

The findings, published in Science Advances, point to a potential new therapeutic approach for chronic kidney disease, a condition affecting millions worldwide and currently lacking medicines that can restore kidney function.