Researchers discover specific probiotic strain significantly improves IBS symptoms

CINCINNATI A review by researchers at Northwestern University and University of Michigan of the utility of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome found that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 was the only probiotic strain out of 13 different individual strains or preparations reviewed to significantly improve symptoms of IBS, including abdominal pain, bloating and bowel movement difficulty.

The researchers reviewed 16 random-controlled-studies, evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of probiotics in the treatment of IBS. With the exception of the Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 studies, researchers found the other trials did not use an appropriate study design and did not adequately report adverse events. The article was published on the American Journal of Gastroenterology Web site in advance of appearing in the publication's April 2009 issue.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects 1-in-5 Americans and treatment options are limited. Darren Brenner, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Internal Medicine, at Northwestern University and lead investigator of this study, hypothesized that alterations in gut microflora may contribute to the development of IBS symptoms, and believed these symptoms could be improved by probiotics.

“Probiotics are gaining popularity for the treatment of multiple gastrointestinal disorders, including IBS,” Brenner said. “After assessment of the methodological and statistical designs of these studies, B. infantis 35624 was the only probiotic that showed repeated efficacy.”

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