Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind placebo-controlled study.
BACKGROUND
The efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appears to be both strain- and dose-related.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of LAB4, a multistrain probiotic preparation on symptoms of IBS. This probiotic preparation has not previously been assessed in IBS.


METHODS
Fifty-two participants with IBS, as defined by the Rome II criteria, participated in this double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomized to receive either a probiotic preparation comprising two strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL60 (NCIMB 30157) and CUL21 (NCIMB 30156), Bifidobacterium lactis CUL34 (NCIMB 30172) and Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20 (NCIMB 30153) at a total of 2.5 × 10(10) cfu/capsule or a placebo for 8 weeks. Participants reported their IBS symptoms using a questionnaire fortnightly during the intervention and at 2 weeks post-intervention.


RESULTS
A significantly greater improvement in the Symptom Severity Score of IBS and in scores for quality of life, days with pain and satisfaction with bowel habit was observed over the 8-week intervention period in the volunteers receiving the probiotic preparation than in the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
LAB4 multistrain probiotic supplement may benefit subjects with IBS.
Williams
E A
EA
Human Nutrition Unit, School of Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. e.a.williams@sheffield.ac.uk
Stimpson
J
J
Wang
D
D
Plummer
S
S
Garaiova
I
I
Barker
M E
ME
Corfe
B M
BM
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007779:Lactobacillus acidophilus; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos