Effect of probiotic bacteria on the intestinal microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome. Issue 10 (23rd September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ng, Siew Chien; Lam, Emma F C; Lam, Tommy T Y; Chan, Yawen; Law, Wendy; Tse, Pete C H; Kamm, Michael A; Sung, Joseph J Y; Chan, Francis K L; Wu, Justin C Y
• Is Part Of: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology. Volume 28:Issue 10(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1624
• Page End: 1631
• Publication Date: 2013-09-23
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0815-9319

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jgh12306-sec-0019" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Aim</title> <p>In irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the gut microbiota may be altered. Probiotic bacteria appear to be therapeutically effective. We characterized the mucosa‐associated microbiota, and determined the clinical and microbiological effects of orally administered probiotic bacteria, in patients with IBS.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12306-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Mucosal microbiota from rectal biopsies of IBS patients and controls were assessed on the V1 and V2 variable regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplified using 454 pyrosequencing. Clinical symptoms and changes in mucosal microbiota were assessed in IBS patients before and after 4 weeks of treatment with probiotic mix VSL#3.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12306-sec-0021" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Ten IBS subjects (eight female; mean age 46 years) were included. At week 4 of probiotic therapy, six patients showed symptom improvement on global symptom assessment compared with baseline (<italic>P</italic> = 0.031). Before therapy, intestinal microbiota of IBS subjects differed significantly from that of healthy controls, with less diversity and evenness than controls (<italic>n</italic> = 9; <italic>P</italic> < 0.05), increased abundance of <italic>Bacteroidetes</italic> (<italic>P</italic> = 0.014) and <italic>Synegitestes</italic> (<italic>P</italic> = 0.017), and reduced abundance of <italic>Actinobacteria</italic> (<italic>P</italic> = 0.004). The classes <italic>Flavobacteria</italic> (<italic>P</italic> = 0.028) and <italic>Epsilonproteobacteria</italic> (<italic>P</italic> = 0.017) were less enriched in IBS. Abundance differences were largely consistent from the phylum to genus level. Probiotic treatment in IBS patients was associated with a significant reduction of the genus <italic>Bacteroides</italic> (all taxonomy levels; <italic>P</italic> < 0.05) to levels similar to that of controls.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgh12306-sec-0022" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In this pilot study, global and deep molecular analysis demonstrates an altered mucosal microbiota composition in IBS. Probiotic leads to detectable changes in the microbiota. These effects of probiotic bacteria may contribute to their therapeutic benefit.</p> </sec> </abstract>