A probiotic treatment containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus improves IBS symptoms in an open label trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.


METHODS
Eighty-five patients [male 32, female 53; age (45.31+/-11.72) years] were given live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules 1260 mg/d t.i.d.x4 weeks. Syndrome scales were used to evaluate the efficacy in gastrointestinal syndrome. Fecal flora was also measured before and after the treatment. Six bacteria were cultured and the colony forming units were counted in stool. SPSS was used for data analysis.


RESULTS
Seventy-four patients finished the follow-up. No side-effect was found. For treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, the effective rate of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus capsules was 56.8% in the second week, 74.3% in the fourth week and 73.0% in the sixth week. Single symptom was improved, especially in abdominal pain and stool character. The probiotica containing live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus could increase bifidobacterium count (P<0.01) and lactobacillus count (P<0.05); decrease bacteroides count (P<0.05) and enterococci count (P<0.01); No obvious changes were observed in clostridium difficile colonitis and enterobacteriaceae (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The result of the study indicated that the administration of live combined Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus improved the symptom of irritable bowel syndrome and that there was a gradual increase of this effect. Thereafter conditions remained stable for 2 weeks. That improvement may be associated with alterations in gastrointestinal flora.
Fan
Yu-jing
YJ
Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China.
Chen
Shu-jie
SJ
Yu
Ying-cong
YC
Si
Jian-min
JM
Liu
Bin
B
D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D016983:Enterococcus; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007778:Lactobacillus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*