Effects of probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome

Dissertation to receive a specialized doctorate degree in the field of internal medicine

Abstract

The effect of Familact probiotic on the clinical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome

Context: Irritable bowel syndrome is a functional disease of the digestive system, the cause of which is not completely known. Microbes in the digestive tract have been stated as one of its causes. Many studies emphasize the role of probiotics on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The purpose of this study is to investigate the probiotic Femilact on the clinical symptoms of this disease. Materials and methods: The number of patients with irritable bowel syndrome who were eligible to enter the study were selected and divided into two equal groups. For four weeks, the second group was given the same placebo as a control. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome were examined at the beginning and the end of the study in both groups and compared with each other, and the results were expressed statistically.

Results: The symptoms of heartache, diarrhea, bloating, phlegm discharge, and the feeling of not emptying stools were significantly improved in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group, but the improvement of constipation and the feeling of having to pass stool simultaneously were different in both groups. It was not statistically significant

Conclusion: Femilact probiotic is effective on some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and can be used as a new treatment in this disease

Key words: irritable bowel syndrome, Femilact probiotic

The effects of multi-strain probiotic compound Familact on symptoms of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. rtl;">Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder with multiple pathophysiology, which is not fully understood. Intestinal microbiota has recently been postulated to be involved in the pathophysiology of IBS. Many studies of IBS focus on investigating the efficacy of modulating the microbiota by probiotics. The aim of this study is evaluating Familact (a probiotic) on abdominal symptoms of IBS.

Materials and Methods:

Patients diagnosed with IBS who fulfilled Rome III criteria and consented to participate in this study were randomized to receive either the probiotic or an identical placebo once daily for four weeks. Patients used a questionnaire to record IBS symptoms. For each group, we calculated the differences between mean scores of the variables and compared the results between groups

Results:

After treatment, there was a decrease in abdominal pain distension severity diarrhea bloating sense of incomplete evacuation and mucus evacuation in probiotic group (P < 0.05), There was no significant difference between the two groups in constipation and straining during stool evacuation after the treatment (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The probiotic Familact is effective on some IBS symptoms and can be used as a novel treatment.

Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome, probiotic, Familact

Statement of the problem:

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common digestive diseases (5-20% prevalence). The pathophysiology of the disease has been shrouded in mystery for many years, and the diagnosis is based on the Rome III criteria and disease symptoms such as changes in the shape and consistency of feces and excretion patterns. Irritable bowel syndrome is often considered a type of functional disorder because no structural, biochemical or infectious etiology has been found for it.. It seems that the main problem is related to the disturbance in the motor or sensory function of the digestive system (1). It has not yet been proven that stress and excitement are the cause of IBS. Although in many patients stress is the cause of IBS exacerbation, it seems that IBS is often caused by changes in the movements of the large intestine. Abnormal movements of the colon have been reported in some patients. The role of central nervous system factors in the pathogenesis of IBS is confirmed by considering the severity of clinical symptoms due to emotional disorders and stress and the appropriate response to treatments that affect the cerebral cortex. Another probable cause is the increase of microbes such as salmonella, shigella and campliobacter. Serotonin-containing enterochromaffin cells are more in the colon of IBS patients with Sahal tabula than in healthy individuals. The plasma level of serotonin is high in these patients [2,]. In some studies, an increase in mast cells has been reported. The most important finding in patients suffering from IBS is the change in the perception of visceral sensation [2,3]. Currently, patients suffering from IBS symptoms make up 25-50% of outpatient referrals to gastroenterologists [1-5-2]. This problem represents the high prevalence and chronicity of IBS and also the difficulty of treating this disorder [1-4-7]. Probiotics are living microorganisms that are similar to beneficial bacteria of the digestive system and they are called friendly bacteria or beneficial bacteria. [8-6] They know that probiotics are used as food supplements or alternative treatment. Probiotics can be added to yogurt as beneficial bacteria. Other forms of consumption of beverages such as milk and even pharmaceutical forms of pills, capsules and powder are available. [8-6] There are studies that have shown that probiotics are effective in the treatment of overall control of IBS symptoms without any side effects [9]. In other cases, such as lactose intolerance, traveler's diarrhea, diarrhea caused by antibiotics, nutritional deficiencies such as deficiency of group B vitamins, probiotics are also used. [10] But at the same time, different studies have not shown similar results and have conflicting results, considering that these results are different, this study was decided to investigate this issue

Intestinal microbial flora:

The natural intestinal microbial flora is an active but unstudied metabolic component of host defense. The natural flora provides the richest antigenic challenge to the host along with a strong stimulatory effect on the maturation of gut-dependent lymphoid tissue. A number of bacterial species present in the intestinal flora are considered potentially harmful due to their potential ability to produce toxins, the ability to invade the mucosa or activate carcinogens and cause inflammatory responses. 10-20 bacterial genera are dominantly present in the intestinal flora, among which the following can be mentioned:

Peptococcus, Eubacterium, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Bacterioides, Bifidobacterium, Fusobacterium, Veillonella, Escherchia, Peptostreptococcus

Bacteria that have health-improving properties include:

bifidobacteria and lactobacillus. The main function of intestinal microbial flora is metabolic activity that leads to the preservation of energy and absorbable nutrients. It is also possible to mention the important trophic effects on the intestinal epithelial cells and the immune function and protection of the host against the invasion of foreign microbes. In infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions, the balance of the intestinal microecology changes in such a way that the number of bacteria with pathogenic potential increases and the health response between the host and the bacteria is disrupted, and as a result, an immune response can be induced by this group of bacteria residing in the intestine. Among these diseases, we can mention rheumatoid arthritis and allergic diseases, diarrhea, urinary tract infections or vaginitis occur when the normal microbial flora is disturbed due to the use of antibiotics, drug therapy or other treatment processes. Among the abilities of the natural flora to protect the host against the unwanted and unwanted replacement of pathogens is the resistance to the colonization of pathogens, which can be disrupted by the use of antibiotics or a number of other therapeutic processes.