Use of a synbiotic for the correction of gut microbiota and treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Introduction. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional bowel disorder that presents with abdominal pain associated with defecation, a change in stool frequency and a change in the appearance of the stool. The high socio-medical significance of this disorder is determined by high global prevalence, impact on quality of life and significant costs for patients, health care and society. Currently, the intestinal wall status, and the qualitative and quantitative changes in gut microbiota are considered as  one of the factors provoking the disorder. Given the role of microbiota in the development of irritable bowel syndrome, it is advisable to use probiotics as a therapy for IBS. Aim. To evaluate the effect of synbiotic Maxilac® on the gut microbiota and clinical signs of IBS. Materials and methods. A total of 15 (9 women and 6 men, mean age 42,6 ± 3,7 years) patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) were enrolled in the study. They received Maxilac® at a dose of 1 capsule in the evening with meals for 21 days. Before and after treatment, all patients underwent bacteriological testing of faeces and assessment of clinical signs: stool frequency during the week, abdominal pain measurements using a VAS scale (mm), bloating severity measurements using a VAS scale (mm). Results and discussion. The study showed positive changes in the intestinal microbiota: a significant growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli (CFU), typical E.coli and enterococci. The number of hemolytic E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida fungi (CFU) was significantly reduced. In the Maxilac® group, the defecation frequency decreased from 31 to 16 times a week (p < 0.05); abdominal pain from 55 to 35 VAS scores (p < 0.05); bloating from 60 to 40 VAS scores (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The synbiotic Maxilac® is one of the drugs that can be efficiently and safely used as part of combination therapy for IBS.