title: The combination of oligo- and polysaccharides and reticulated protein for the control of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A medical device containing the film-forming agent reticulated protein and a prebiotic mixture of vegetable oligo- and polysaccharides has been developed, recently receiving European approval as MED class III for the treatment of chronic/functional or recidivant diarrhoea due to different causes including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the present paper, we evaluate a protein preparation containing these components in comparison with placebo in adult patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group, multicentre clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive the combination of oligo- and polysaccharides and reticulated protein and placebo (four oral tablets/day for 56 days). Demographic, clinical and quality of life characteristics and presence and intensity of abdominal pain and flatulence (seven-point Likert scale) were assessed at three study visits (baseline and at 28 and 56 days). Stool emissions were recorded on the diary card using the seven-point Bristol Stool Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 128 patients were randomised to receive either tablets containing the combination (n = 63) or placebo (n = 65). Treatment with oligo- and polysaccharides and reticulated protein was safe and well tolerated. A significant improvement in symptoms across the study was observed in patients treated with oligo- and polysaccharides and reticulated protein between visit 2 and visit 3 in abdominal pain (p = 0.0167) and flatulence (p = 0.0373). We also detected a statistically significant increase in the quality of life of patients receiving the active treatment from baseline to visit 3 (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with oligo- and polysaccharides and reticulated protein is safe, improving IBS symptoms and quality of life of patients with diarrhoea-predominant IBS.
authors.affiliation: "Lower Danube", University of Galati, Galati, Romania.
authors.forename: Octavian
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Alexea
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu-Mures, Targu-Mures, Romania.
authors.forename: Vlad
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bacarea
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Pharmacy Faculty, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Piqué
keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome; abdominal pain; efficacy; flatulence; mucosal protectors; quality of life; reticulated protein; stools; vegetable oligo-saccharides; vegetable polysaccharides