Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLa80 alleviates constipation in mice through modulating the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit pathway and the gut microbiota

. Results showed BLa80 could accelerate intestinal peristalsis, maintain fecal moisture, prevent intestinal barrier disruption, increase short-chain fatty acid production, prevent gut microbe dysbiosis and constipation in mice. It also helped to keep the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), motilin (MTL), and substance P (SP) normal, up-regulated the mRNAs of intestinal mucin 2 (MUC2), stem cell factor (SCF), and the tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit, and down-regulated the mRNA of aquaporins (AQPs), especially at a high-dose. This study indicated that BLa80 held the potential to emerge as a novel ingredient in functional foods designed for constipation relief and as a treatment alternative.