Home / Health / Surprise Kidney Saver Found in Constipation Medication
Surprise Kidney Saver Found in Constipation Medication
5 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Lubiprostone, a constipation drug, shows promise in preserving kidney function.
- The medication boosts spermidine production, enhancing gut bacteria and mitochondria.
- Researchers are planning a Phase 3 trial to further evaluate this new CKD treatment.
Researchers have uncovered an unexpected therapeutic avenue for chronic kidney disease (CKD) by repurposing a medication commonly used for constipation. Initial investigations revealed a correlation between constipation and worsening kidney function, prompting a study into whether treating constipation could improve kidney health. This groundbreaking work is the first to demonstrate lubiprostone's potential to slow kidney function loss in CKD patients.
The LUBI-CKD TRIAL, a multicenter Phase II study conducted in Japan, enrolled 150 individuals with moderate CKD. Results showed that participants receiving lubiprostone experienced a slower decline in kidney function compared to those given a placebo, as measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Further exploration indicated that lubiprostone enhances kidney protection by boosting spermidine production, which in turn promotes beneficial gut bacteria and improves mitochondrial activity. The team plans a larger Phase 3 trial and aims to identify biomarkers for personalized treatment, potentially revolutionizing CKD care beyond current methods focused on uremic toxin reduction.
