Impact of Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 on Bacterial Overgrowth and Composition of Intestinal Microbiota in Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: Results of a Randomized Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is associated with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 (Sb) may be efficacious in balancing the microbiota. This randomized open label study assessed the effect of Sb in patients with bacterial overgrowth associated with IBS-D and its impact on the intestinal microbiota. METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive Sb + dietary advice (Sb + DA) or dietary advice (DA) only for 15 days. SIBO was assessed by the lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT). Symptoms were assessed with the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) and stool consistency with the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Microbiota and mycobiota were analyzed by 16S rDNA and ITS2. RESULTS: 54 patients were included, among whom 48 (27 Sb + DA, 21 DA) were evaluated. Decrease of hydrogen excretion was slightly higher in Sb + DA group, 41% versus 29% in DA group, and IBS-SSS total score were reduced by -134 and -93, respectively. The proportion of patients with diarrhea was lower in the Sb + DA group than in the DA group (25.9% compared to 47.6%). Bacterial and fungal microbiota showed that Sb treatment was associated with several modifications. Interestingly, F. prausnitzii was more abundant in Sb-treated patients with marked clinical improvement. The safety of S. boulardii CNCM I-745 was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SIBO, S. boulardii CNCM I-745 associated with dietary advice reduced bacterial overgrowth and improved digestive symptoms while restoring the intestinal microbiota. The increased abundance of F. prausnitzii coupled with symptom improvement merits further research.

Intestinal microbiota: its role in digestive diseases.

It is now well known that intestinal microbiota exerts not only several physiological functions, but has also been implied in the mechanisms of many conditions, both intestinal and extraintestinal. These advances, to the best of our knowledge, have been made possible by the development of new ways of studying gut flora. Metagenomics, the study of genetic material taken directly from environmental samples, avoiding individual culture, has become an excellent tool to study the human microbiota. Therefore, it has demonstrated an association between an altered intestinal microbiota and inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome, perhaps the most extensively studied conditions associated with this particular subject. However, microbiota has a potential role in the development of other diseases; their manifestations are not confined to the intestine only. In this article, an extensive updated review is conducted on the role intestinal microbiota has in health and in different diseases. Focus is made on the following conditions: inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, hepatic encephalopathy, and obesity.

[Irritable bowel syndrome: a functional disorder?]. / Sindrome de intestino irritable: ¿Un trastorno funcional?

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent condition responsible for almost one third of visits to the gastroenterologist and huge expenses for diagnosis, treatment and loss of working days. A unique pathophysiologic mechanism has not been elucidated yet and several possibilities have been proposed such as senso-perception and motor disturbances, the effect of stress and anxiety, serotonin receptor failures, activation of abnormal brain areas and pain modulation differences, among others. The absence of a biological marker has led the investigators to consider this syndrome as an exclusion diagnostic condition, once the organic diseases have been discarded The changes in gut microbiota have recently raised great interest among gastroenterologists. The study of the small intestinal bowel overgrowth syndrome, the effect of antibiotics upon the flora, the recognition of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and the action of probiotics, together with the effect of malabsortion of diet carbohydrates have brought some new light in our knowledge. The present update will focus on the published evidence about the subject, bearing in mind that the mechanisms elicited here are only suitable for a subgroup of patients.

Sindrome de intestino irritable: ¿Un trastorno funcional? / [Irritable bowel syndrome: a functional disorder?].

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent condition responsible for almost one third of visits to the gastroenterologist and huge expenses for diagnosis, treatment and loss of working days. A unique pathophysiologic mechanism has not been elucidated yet and several possibilities have been proposed such as senso-perception and motor disturbances, the effect of stress and anxiety, serotonin receptor failures, activation of abnormal brain areas and pain modulation differences, among others. The absence of a biological marker has led the investigators to consider this syndrome as an exclusion diagnostic condition, once the organic diseases have been discarded The changes in gut microbiota have recently raised great interest among gastroenterologists. The study of the small intestinal bowel overgrowth syndrome, the effect of antibiotics upon the flora, the recognition of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and the action of probiotics, together with the effect of malabsortion of diet carbohydrates have brought some new light in our knowledge. The present update will focus on the published evidence about the subject, bearing in mind that the mechanisms elicited here are only suitable for a subgroup of patients.

Sindrome de intestino irritable: ¿Un trastorno funcional? / [Irritable bowel syndrome: a functional disorder?].

Irritable bowel syndrome is a highly prevalent condition responsible for almost one third of visits to the gastroenterologist and huge expenses for diagnosis, treatment and loss of working days. A unique pathophysiologic mechanism has not been elucidated yet and several possibilities have been proposed such as senso-perception and motor disturbances, the effect of stress and anxiety, serotonin receptor failures, activation of abnormal brain areas and pain modulation differences, among others. The absence of a biological marker has led the investigators to consider this syndrome as an exclusion diagnostic condition, once the organic diseases have been discarded The changes in gut microbiota have recently raised great interest among gastroenterologists. The study of the small intestinal bowel overgrowth syndrome, the effect of antibiotics upon the flora, the recognition of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and the action of probiotics, together with the effect of malabsortion of diet carbohydrates have brought some new light in our knowledge. The present update will focus on the published evidence about the subject, bearing in mind that the mechanisms elicited here are only suitable for a subgroup of patients.