A randomized controlled trial of a probiotic combination VSL# 3 and placebo in irritable bowel syndrome with bloating.
Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2005 Oct; 17(5):687-96.NM

Abstract

AIM

To evaluate the effects of a combination probiotic on symptoms and colonic transit in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and significant bloating.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with Rome II IBS were randomized in a parallel group, double-blind design to placebo or VSL# 3 twice daily (31 patients received 4 weeks and 17 patients 8 weeks of treatment). Pre- and post-treatment colonic transit measurements were performed using scintigraphy with (111)In charcoal. Symptoms were summarized as an average daily score for the entire period of treatment and separately for the first 4 weeks of treatment. Weekly satisfactory relief of abdominal bloating was assessed.

RESULTS

Treatment with VSL# 3 was associated with reduced flatulence over the entire treatment period (placebo 39.5 +/- 2.6 vs VSL# 3 29.7 +/- 2.6, P = 0.011); similarly, during the first 4 weeks of treatment, flatulence scores were reduced (placebo 40.1 +/- 2.5 vs VSL# 3 30.8 +/- 2.5, P = 0.014). Proportions of responders for satisfactory relief of bloating, stool-related symptoms, abdominal pain and bloating scores were not different. Colonic transit was retarded with VSL# 3 relative to placebo (colon geometric center 2.27 +/- 0.20 vs 2.83 +/- 0.19, P = 0.05 respectively).

CONCLUSION

VSL# 3 reduces flatulence scores and retards colonic transit without altering bowel function in patients with IBS and bloating.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Kim HJ
Clinical Enteric Neuroscience Translational and Epidemiological Research (CENTER) Group, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Vazquez Roque MI
No affiliation info available
Camilleri M
No affiliation info available
Stephens D
No affiliation info available
Burton DD
No affiliation info available
Baxter K
No affiliation info available
Thomforde G
No affiliation info available
Zinsmeister AR
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultAgedDietDietary SupplementsDilatation, PathologicDouble-Blind MethodFemaleGastric DilatationHumansIrritable Bowel SyndromeMaleMiddle AgedPainPatient SelectionPlacebosProbiotics

Pub Type(s)

Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16185307