Effectiveness of Probiotics Stabilized With Cryoprotection Technology in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, probiotics

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common diseases of the digestive tract in adults, which pathogenesis is not fully understood. It is assumed that intestinal dysbiosis affecting the functioning of the gut-brain axis may be important. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered at the right dose, have a positive effect on human health. Probiotic mechanism of action is related to the modulation of intestinal microbiota. Clinical studies confirm that probiotics administered to patients with IBS have positive health effects. Clinical effects depend primarily on the selection of probiotic strains, but no less important is their viability and stability in the preparation administered to patients. Unfortunately, obtaining stability (a strictly defined number of live probiotic strains in the preparation throughout the shelf life of the preparation) is very technologically difficult. As shown by the audit of the Polish Supreme Audit Office (NIK), almost 90% of probiotics sold on the Polish market do not meet these criteria. There were probiotic preparations that by the end of their expiration date had less than 100 live bacterial cells from the declared number of about one billion. The only preparations that successfully passed NIK inspections turned out to be preparations in which the technology of double microcapsulation of bacteria was used. New technologies are constantly being sought that increase both the survival of bacterial strains in the preparation and the resistance of the strains to hydrochloric acid and bile, which in turn contributes to delivering the right dose of probiotics to the target site of activity, i.e. the small and large intestine. Recent developed an innovative technology called bacterial cryoprotection, which, compared to traditional lyophilization, leads to an increase in the stability of the bacterial cell wall membranes and protects them against negative factors both external (high temperature, humidity etc.) and internal (gastric acid, bile). Therefore, the purpose of the clinical trial is to assess the effectiveness of cryoprotected probiotics in patients with IBS.

A 1- to 2-week screening period will be used to establish the presence and persistence of trial entry criteria and train patients in the mode of data collection. The screening period will also be used to select patients with specified levels of severity of signs and symptoms. During screening visit patients will undergo physical examination. Severity of IBS will be determined using the Francis, Morris and Whorwell's IBS severity scale (IBS-SSS): Mild \<175, Moderate 175-300, Severe \>300. Number and type of stools will be measured in all patients using Bristol stool scale. All eligible patients who sign informed consent form will be randomized within 2 weeks to receive either probiotic product or placebo and will complete Quality of Life assessment measured using IBS-QOL questionnaire. They will also be instructed to restrain from consuming foods and dietary supplements containing probiotics according to the clinical study requirements. After receiving probiotic product/placebo, telephone interviewers will call patients 3 times per week, and they will collect the following information by the phone: type of stools (according to Bristol Stool Score), number of bowel movements per day and IBS symptoms measured in 5-point scale (abdominal pain, flatulence, feeling of incomplete evacuation). In addition, telephone interviewers will collect information regarding adverse effects and using new drugs during the study. Patients will report to the doctor 2 times during study every 4 weeks during 8 week lasting intervention to receive new dose of probiotic product/placebo and to be assessed by the doctor using IBS-SSS, IBS-GIS and IBS-AR questionnaires, They will also complete Quality of Life questionnaire.

Poland