Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Year: 2008
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The efficacy of probiotics in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) appears to be both strain- and dose-related. AIM: 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. CONCLUSION: LAB4 multistrain probiotic supplement may benefit subjects with IBS.
Authors: E. A. WILLIAMS, J. STIMPSON, D. WANG, S. PLUMMER, I. GARAIOVA, M. E. BARKER, B. M. CORFE
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2147884617