title: Effects of scFOS on the composition of fecal microbiota and anxiety in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) have beneficial effects in subjects with minor digestive complaints, but the potential mechanisms involved have not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in rectal sensitivity related to the clinical effects of scFOS in a selected group of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and rectal hypersensitivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 79 IBS patients (defined by Rome III criteria) with rectal hypersensitivity (defined as discomfort threshold ≤44 g) a parallel, placebo-controlled, randomized, and double-blind study was performed to assess the effects of dietary supplementation (5 g d-1) with scFOS vs placebo for 4 weeks on rectal sensitivity (primary outcome: tolerance to increasing wall tension applied by a tensostat), clinical outcomes (IBS, anxiety/depression and quality of life scores) and composition of fecal microbiota.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rectal discomfort threshold, and IBS and quality of life scores, significantly improved during treatment, but in a similar manner in both scFOS and placebo groups; a post-hoc analysis showed that the effect of scFOS on rectal sensitivity was more pronounced in constipation-predominant-IBS patients (P=.051 vs placebo). Contrary with placebo, scFOS significantly reduced anxiety scores and increased fecal Bifidobacteria (P<.05 for both) without modifying other bacterial groups.
  The effect of scFOS on anxiety may be related to modulation of the gut microbiota; demonstration of effects of scFOS on rectal sensitivity may require higher doses and may depend on the IBS subgroup.
authors.affiliation: Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain.|Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azpiroz
authors.affiliation: Inserm CIC-501, Clinical Pharmacology Centre, Clermont-Ferrand Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubray
authors.affiliation: UR454 Microbiology Unit, Clermont-Ferrand Research Centre, Saint Gènes-Champanelle, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernalier-Donadille
authors.affiliation: Inserm CIC-501, Clinical Pharmacology Centre, Clermont-Ferrand Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cardot
authors.affiliation: Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain.|Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Accarino
authors.affiliation: Digestive System Research Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (Ciberehd), Barcelona, Spain.|Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Tereos, ZI et portuaire, Marckolsheim, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Tereos, ZI et portuaire, Marckolsheim, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Respondek
authors.affiliation: CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, INSERM UMR 1107, Neuro-Dol, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dapoigny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C116580:fructooligosaccharide
keywords: anxiety; fibers; fructooligosaccharides; irritable bowel syndrome; microbiota