As probiotics move into mainstream healthcare, typical first-line drug treatments are being questioned. But old habits die hard in the juggernaut that is the medical-pharmaceutical complex.
One particular disorder appears ripe for disruption.
The role of gut microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is amassing evidence-based research attesting to its importance.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder defined by chronic abdominal pain with changes in bowel habits . A recent meta-analysis revealed variances in expression of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in IBS patients compared to healthy controls.
Given their alterations in IBS, it is not surprising that strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus noticeably improve symptoms in IBS in studies.
This is known: probiotics may help eradicate pathogens, reduce gut inflammation and fortify gut walls.
Probiotics tested
Mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory medication often used in ulcerative colitis but is being tested in IBS. Could probiotics be added and alleviate symptoms?
A new investigation looked at the effects of the combination treatment of Pentasa (branded mesalamine) and probiotics on the microflora composition and prognosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The abstract appeared in The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology in August of 2019.
The study
Of the 40 patients with IBD (19 randomized into control group and 21 in the observation group), the control group were given pentasa, and patients in the observation group were given probiotics along with the drug.
The microflora composition, biochemical indices, inflammatory markers, and activity scores of the two groups were analyzed.
Results
The observation group recorded numerous positives compared to a control group:
- The number of enterobacteria, enterococci, saccharomyces, and bacteroides were lower after treatment.
- Levels of fecal lactoferrin, 1-antitrypsin, β2-microglobulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and interleukin (IL)-6 were lower.
- Recurrence rate of IBS was reduced.
- Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus counts and IL-4 levels were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group.
The combination of probiotics and pentasa can improve microflora composition in patients with IBD and reduce the level of inflammatory cytokines; therefore, it is worthy of further clinical validation.
Fan H, Du J, Liu X, et al. Effects of pentasa-combined probiotics on the microflora structure and prognosis of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Turk J Gastroenterol 2019; 30(8): 680-5.