title: Effects of Probiotics on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several clinical trials have revealed various advantages for probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on gut microbiota in patients with this disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 305 participants were divided into three groups; group A (IBD patients receiving probiotic yogurt; n=105), group B (IBD patients receiving placebo; n=105), and control group (healthy individuals receiving probiotic yogurt; n=95). Stool samples were collected both before and after 8 weeks of intervention; and population of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides in the stool specimens was measured by Taqman real-time PCR method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By the end of the intervention, no significant variations in the mean weight and body mass index were observed between three groups (p>0.05). However, the mean numbers of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacteroides in group A were significantly increased compared to group B (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p< 0.01, respectively). There were also significant differences in the mean numbers of either of three bacteria between group A and the healthy control group; however, these differences between two groups were observed both at baseline and the end of the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consumption of probiotic yogurt by patients with IBD may help to improve intestinal function by increasing the number of probiotic bacteria in the intestine and colon. However, many more studies are required in order to prove the concept.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shadnoush
authors.forename: Rahebeh Shaker
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.forename: Ahad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalilnezhad
authors.forename: Lida
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Navai
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goudarzi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaezjalali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000235:genetics; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015990:Placebo Effect; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Inflammatory bowel diseases; Microbiota; Probiotics