Clinical trial: multispecies probiotic supplementation alleviates the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and stabilizes intestinal microbiota.
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome is the most common diagnosis in gastroenterology. Trials suggest certain probiotics to be beneficial.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of multispecies probiotic supplementation (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus Lc705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12) on abdominal symptoms, quality of life, intestinal microbiota and inflammatory markers in irritable bowel syndrome.


METHODS
Eighty-six irritable bowel syndrome patients (Rome II criteria) participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled 5-month intervention. Patients were randomized to receive daily either multispecies probiotic supplementation or placebo. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, quality of life, microarray-based intestinal microbiota stability (n = 20), serum cytokines and sensitive C-reactive protein were monitored.


RESULTS
The composite irritable bowel syndrome score had at 5 months decreased 14 points (95% CI: -19 to -9) from baseline with the multispecies probiotic vs. three points (95% CI: -8 to 1) with placebo (P = 0.0083). Especially, distension and abdominal pain were affected. A stabilization of the microbiota was observed, as the microbiota similarity index increased with the probiotic supplementation (1.9 +/- 3.1), while it decreased with placebo (-2.9 +/- 1.7). No differences were seen in C-reactive protein.


CONCLUSIONS
This multispecies probiotic seems to be an effective and safe option to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and to stabilize the intestinal microbiota.
Kajander
K
K
Institute of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Myllyluoma
E
E
Rajilić-Stojanović
M
M
Kyrönpalo
S
S
Rasmussen
M
M
Järvenpää
S
S
Zoetendal
E G
EG
de Vos
W M
WM
Vapaatalo
H
H
Korpela
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019936:Probiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life
D016753:Interleukin-10; D002097:C-Reactive Protein