A research team led by Prof. Takaaki Abe of Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine has discovered that a drug commonly prescribed for constipation could help treat patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

For the first time, the drug, lubiprostone, has been shown to slow the decline of kidney function in CKD patients. CKD remains a major global health challenge, often leading to kidney failure and the need for regular dialysis, yet no drugs currently exist that directly improve renal function.

To test its potential, the team conducted a multicenter Phase II clinical trial, known as the LUBI-CKD Trial, across nine Japanese hospitals. The study enrolled 150 patients with moderate CKD and evaluated the effects of lubiprostone on kidney function.

Findings revealed that patients treated with 8 µg or 16 µg of the drug experienced a dose-dependent suppression of kidney function decline, measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), compared to those given a placebo.

Further analysis showed that lubiprostone increases spermidine production, which boosts mitochondrial function by promoting gut bacterial growth. Improved mitochondrial activity was found to protect the kidneys and slow further damage.

Abe explained, “We noticed that constipation often accompanies CKD and disrupts intestinal microbiota, worsening kidney function. We hypothesised that treating constipation could improve kidney health, and our findings confirmed this.”

The researchers plan to validate their results in a larger Phase III clinical trial and explore biomarkers that predict which patients will benefit most.

The study, published in Science Advances, could reshape CKD treatment, shifting focus from simply reducing toxins to using laxatives to preserve kidney function. Experts say the findings may also open pathways for tackling other conditions linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.