L. plantarum 299v Offers IBS Relief

MONTREALA four-week treatment with probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) proved to be effective for the relief of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, particularly abdominal pain and bloating, in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients fulfilling the Rome III criteria. The results were presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) by Professor Philippe Ducrotté, from Rouen University Hospital, France.

The investigators explained: Recent studies have highlighted the role of the microbiota in the pathophysiology of IBS, while others have suggested probiotics could be a promising therapeutic option. However, the symptomatic efficacy of probiotics is strain-dependant. The aim of this study was to assess the symptomatic efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v in a large subset of IBS patients.

The randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over a four-week period. In total, 214 patients fulfilling the Rome III criteria for IBS were included in the study (63 women and 151 men). The treatment consisted of a daily capsule of placebo or Lp299v (from Institut Rosell-Lallemand), equivalent to 1,010 CFU/d. IBS symptoms were monitored (frequency and intensity of abdominal pain, bloating, number of stools, feeling of incomplete rectal evacuation).

The study showed:

Researchers deduced: A four-week treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum 299v has been shown to be effective for the relief of symptoms, particularly abdominal pain and bloating, in IBS patients fulfilling the Rome III criteria.