LPS and Health Maintenance

(2) Constipation and LPS

It has been reported that enterobacterial LPS is associated with the intestinal peristaltic movement.

At least half of the 100 trillion enterobacteria in the human body, a number much more than the total number of cells in human body, are gram-negative bacteria containing LPS. When LPS released from enteric gram-negative bacteria reacts with enteric muscle macrophages, it secretes a substance called BMP2 to stimulate enteric nerve cells. Then, the nerve cells work on the muscularis externa to promote peristalsis (*1). Thus, enteric LPS is associated with intestinal peristaltic movement and, consequently, the prevention of constipation.

(*1) Crosstalk between Muscularis Macrophages and Enteric Neurons Regulates Gastrointestinal Motility, Cell 158: 300-313 (2014)