Sheffield researchers’ help to IBS patients

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have identified a multistrain probiotic that can help treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)1, offering hope to the estimated 53,000 sufferers living with the condition in Sheffield.

In a randomised, placebo controlled trial involving 52 patients clinically diagnosed with IBS, half were supplemented with a high strength multistrain probiotic known as LAB4, commercially available under the name ProVen, whilst the other half took placebo.

Patients were assessed every two weeks during the eight week supplementation period and again two weeks after the trial had ended.

Participants in the trial who took ProVen reported significant benefits in just two weeks, with the majority seeing the following improvements after four weeks:

• Reduction in the severity of abdominal pain (P=0.0218)

• Reduction in the duration of abdominal pain (P=0.0058)

• Reduction of abdominal bloating (P=0.0218)

• Improved daily bowel movement (P=0.0422)

• Improved quality of life (P=0.0068)

Comparison of the effectiveness of ProVen to the placebo effect showed a significant difference in favour of the probiotic at six weeks (P=0.0347), indicating that ProVen had definite benefits to participating triallists.

Following cessation of the trial the symptoms of IBS returned to the patients who had been taking ProVen, highlighting that ongoing supplementation may be necessary to help prevent IBS symptoms from returning.

Scientists have long suspected that probiotics can help maintain digestive health and transit, but this is the first clinical trial to test the LAB4 multistrain probiotic. The results are due to be published later this month in the Journal of Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

Dr Elizabeth Williams from the University of Sheffield and lead researcher on the trial said:

"This trial is encouraging news for IBS sufferers. In a robust randomised controlled design we have demonstrated that the LAB4 multistrain probiotic helps alleviate the symptoms associated with IBS"

Dr Williams continued: "Dairy based probiotics are available; however some IBS sufferers report that dairy products aggravate their symptoms, and so a dairy-based delivery of probiotics is not always appropriate. This trial has tested a probiotic formula that can be delivered in a capsule and may therefore provide an alternative".

The cause or causes of IBS still remain unclear, but this latest trial provides further evidence that the balance of gut microflora plays a key role in managing the condition. It is thought that IBS can be caused when the ’bad’ bacteria in the intestine starts to dominate, producing excessive gas and resulting in inflammation.

Jonathan Blanchard Smith, Chair of The Gut Trust, the national charity for irritable bowel syndrome said: "We welcome the findings of this latest trial which support the recent NICE guidelines and our own advice as a charity that probiotics can be a help in managing the symptoms of IBS"

Presently IBS patients often manage their condition with the use of antidiarrhoeals, laxatives and anti-spasmodics, which can be ineffective and expensive, and do not address the issue of bacterial balance.

ProVen costs £12.45 (30 capsules) and is available from www.provenibstrial.co.uk or by calling 0800 980 1282