EFFECT OF A NOVEL PROBIOTIC PREPARATION ON INDUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF REMISSION IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS PATIENTS: A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED TRIAL
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effect of a novel probiotic preparation on the colonic mucosal gene expression in UC patients, using whole genome gene expression microarrays.
Project description:Background: This study addresses whether existing specific transcriptional profiles can improve and support the current status of the definition of ulcerative colitis (UC) remission apart from the existing endoscopic, histologic, and laboratory scoring systems. For that purpose, a well-stratified UC patient population in remission was compared to active UC and control patients and was investigated by applying the next-generation technology RNA-Seq. Methods: Mucosal biopsies from patients in remission (n = 14), patients with active UC (n = 14), and healthy control patients (n = 16) underwent whole-transcriptome RNA-Seq. Principal component analysis, cell deconvolution methods, gene profile enrichment, and pathway enrichment methods were applied to define a specific transcriptional signature of UC in remission. Results: Analyses revealed specific transcriptional signatures for UC in remission with increased expression of genes involved in O-glycosylation (MUC17, MUC3A, MUC5AC, MUC12, SPON1, B3GNT3), ephrin-mediated repulsion of cells (EFNB2E, EFNA3, EPHA10, EPHA1), GAP junction trafficking (TUBA1C, TUBA4A, TUBB4B, GJB3, CLTB), and decreased expression of several toll-like receptors (TLR1, TLR3, TLR5, TLR6). Conclusions: This study reveals specific transcriptional signatures for remission. Partial restoration and improvement of homeostasis in the epithelial mucus layer and revival of immunological functions were observed. A clear role for bacterial gut flora composition can be implied. The results can be useful for the development of treatment strategies for UC in remission and may be useful targets for further investigations aiming to predict the outcome of UC in the future.
Project description:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three Lactobacillus plantarum strains on in-vivo small intestinal barrier function and gene transcription in human subjects. The strains were selected for their differential effects on TLR signalling and tight junction protein rearrangement, which may lead to beneficial effects in a stressed human gut mucosa. Ten healthy volunteers participated in four different intervention periods: 7-day oral intake of either L. plantarum WCFS1, CIP48 (CIP104448), TIFN101 (CIP104450) or placebo, proceeded by a 4 weeks wash-out period. Lactulose-rhamnose ratio (an indicator of small intestinal permeability) increased after intake of indomethacin, which was given as an artificial stressor of the gut mucosal barrier (mean ratio 0.06±0.04 to 0.10±0.06, p=0.001), but was not significantly affected by the bacterial interventions. However, gene transcription pathway analysis in small intestinal biopsies, obtained by gastroduodenoscopy, demonstrated that particularly L. plantarum TIFN101 modulated cell-cell adhesion with high turnover of genes involved in tight- and adhesion junction protein synthesis and degradation (e.g. actinin alpha-4, metalloproteinase-2). These effects were less pronounced for L. plantarum WCFS1 and CIP104448. In conclusion, L. plantarum TIFN101 induced the most pronounced probiotic properties with specific effects on repair processes in the compromised intestine of healthy subjects.
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine whether the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 reduces crying or fussing in a broad community based sample of breastfed infants and formula fed infants with colic aged less than 3 months.DesignDouble blind, placebo controlled randomised trial.SettingCommunity based sample (primary and secondary level care centres) in Melbourne, Australia.Participants167 breastfed infants or formula fed infants aged less than 3 months meeting Wessel's criteria for crying or fussing: 85 were randomised to receive probiotic and 82 to receive placebo.InterventionsOral daily L reuteri (1 × 10(8) colony forming units) versus placebo for one month.Main outcomes measuresThe primary outcome was daily duration of cry or fuss at 1 month. Secondary outcomes were duration of cry or fuss; number of cry or fuss episodes; sleep duration of infant at 7, 14, and 21 days, and 1 and 6 months; maternal mental health (Edinburgh postnatal depression subscale); family functioning (paediatric quality of life inventory), parent quality adjusted life years (assessment of quality of life) at 1 and 6 months; infant functioning (paediatric quality of life inventory) at 6 months; infant faecal microbiota (microbial diversity, colonisation with Escherichia coli), and calprotectin levels at 1 month. In intention to treat analyses the two groups were compared using regression models adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsOf 167 infants randomised from August 2011 to August 2012, 127 (76%) were retained to primary outcome; of these, a subset was analysed for faecal microbial diversity, E coli colonisation, and calprotectin levels. Adherence was high. Mean daily cry or fuss time fell steadily in both groups. At 1 month, the probiotic group cried or fussed 49 minutes more than the placebo group (95% confidence interval 8 to 90 minutes, P=0.02); this mainly reflected more fussing, especially for formula fed infants. The groups were similar on all secondary outcomes. No study related adverse events occurred.ConclusionsL reuteri DSM 17938 did not benefit a community sample of breastfed infants and formula fed infants with colic. These findings differ from previous smaller trials of selected populations and do not support a general recommendation for the use of probiotics to treat colic in infants.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN95287767.
Project description:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic pretreatment on the alteration and recovery of gut microbiota after bowel preparation and its correlation with minor complications. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial that included participants 40-65 years of age. Participants were randomly provided probiotics (active group) or placebo (placebo group) for 1 month before the colonoscopy and their feces collected. A total of 51 participants were included in the present study (26 in the active group and 25 in the placebo group). In the active group, the microbial diversity, evenness, and distribution were not significantly changed between before and after bowel preparation, but did change in the placebo group. The number of gut microbiota that decreased after bowel preparation in the active group was lower than in the placebo group. On the seventh day after colonoscopy, the gut microbiota in the active group was restored to almost the same level as before bowel preparation. In addition, we identified that several strains were assumed as key microbiota in early colonization and some taxa were increased only in the active group after bowel preparation. In multivariate analysis, taking probiotics before bowel preparation was identified as a significant factor for decreasing the duration of minor complications (odds ratio 0.13, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.60, p = 0.027). Probiotic pretreatment had benefits on the alteration and recovery of gut microbiota and possible complications after bowel preparation. Probiotics may also aid in the early colonization of key microbiota.
Project description:BackgroundAdrenomedullin (AM) is a bioactive peptide having many pleiotropic effects, including mucosal healing and immunomodulation. AM has shown beneficial effects in rodent models and in preliminary study for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We performed a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of AM in patients with UC.MethodsThis was a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase-2a trial evaluating 28 patients in Japan with steroid-resistant UC. Patients were randomly assigned to four groups and given an infusion of 5, 10, 15 ng/kg/min of AM or placebo for 8 h per day for 14 days. The primary endpoint was the change in Mayo scores at 2 weeks. Main secondary endpoints included the change in Mayo scores and the rate of clinical remission at 8 weeks, defined as a Mayo score 0.ResultsNo differences in the primary or secondary endpoints were observed among the four groups at 2 weeks. Despite the insufficient tracking rate, the Mayo score at 8 weeks was only significantly decreased in the high-dose AM group (15 ng/kg/min) compared with the placebo group (- 9.3 ± 1.2 vs. - 3.0 ± 2.8, P = 0.035), with its rate of clinical remission at 8 weeks being significantly higher (3/3, 100% vs. 0/2, 0%, P = 0.025). We noted mild but no serious adverse events caused by the vasodilatory effect of AM.ConclusionsIn this double-blind randomized trial, we observed the complete remission at 8 weeks in patients with steroid-resistant UC receiving a high dose of AM.Clinical trial registryJAPIC clinical trials information; Japic CTI-205255 (200410115290). https://www.clinicaltrials.jp/cti-user/trial/Search.jsp .
Project description:BACKGROUND: Daily administration of rectal formulations of mesalazine is effective in preventing relapse of ulcerative proctitis. Maintenance of remission with lower doses would be an advantage. AIM: The efficacy of mesalazine suppositories (Pentasa) 1 g three times a week v placebo to maintain remission in patients with cryptogenetic proctitis was studied. METHODS: Ninety five patients with cryptogenetic proctitis were randomised within two weeks of remission to receive for one year or until relapse three suppositories per week of either Pentasa (n = 48) or placebo (n = 47). In the case of a relapse, the patients received one suppository/day. RESULTS: It was found that 25 of 48 subjects v 18 of 47 remained in remission in the mesalazine and placebo groups respectively. The relapse rate was lower in the mesalazine group for the following time intervals: 0-90 days (19% v 38%, p = 0.035), 0-180 days (29% v 54%, p = 0.017), 0-270 days (38% v 60%, p = 0.031), and 0-365 days (48% v 62%, p = 0.18). Treatment of relapse with one suppository/day induced remission in 11 of 18 and 2 of 26 patients in the mesalazine and placebo groups respectively (p = 0.001). Overall, 61% v 28% patients remained in the protocol and were in remission at one year (p = 0.001). Tolerance was good. CONCLUSION: Mesalazine suppositories 1 g three times a week are effective for preventing relapses of cryptogenetic proctitis. Increasing the dose to 1 g/day is effective in a high proportion of subjects who relapsed.
Project description:OBJECTIVES: VSL#3 is a high-potency probiotic mixture that has been used successfully in the treatment of pouchitis. The primary end point of the study was to assess the effects of supplementation with VSL#3 in patients affected by relapsing ulcerative colitis (UC) who are already under treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) and/or immunosuppressants at stable doses. METHODS: A total of 144 consecutive patients were randomly treated for 8 weeks with VSL#3 at a dose of 3,600 billion CFU/day (71 patients) or with placebo (73 patients). RESULTS: In all, 65 patients in the VSL#3 group and 66 patients in the placebo group completed the study. The decrease in ulcerative colitis disease activity index (UCDAI) scores of 50% or more was higher in the VSL#3 group than in the placebo group (63.1 vs. 40.8; per protocol (PP) P=0.010, confidence interval (CI)₉₅(%) 0.51-0.74; intention to treat (ITT) P=0.031, CI₉₅(%) 0.47-0.69). Significant results with VSL#3 were recorded in an improvement of three points or more in the UCDAI score (60.5% vs. 41.4%; PP P=0.017, CI₉₅(%) 0.51-0.74; ITT P=0.046, CI₉₅(%) 0.47-0.69) and in rectal bleeding (PP P=0.014, CI₉₅(%) 0.46-0.70; ITT P=0.036, CI₉₅(%) 0.41-0.65), whereas stool frequency (PP P=0.202, CI₉₅(%) 0.39-0.63; ITT P=0.229, CI₉₅(%) 0.35-0.57), physician's rate of disease activity (PP P=0.088, CI₉₅(%) 0.34-0.58; ITT P=0.168, CI₉₅(%) 0.31-0.53), and endoscopic scores (PP P=0.086, CI₉₅(%) 0.74-0.92; ITT P=0.366, CI₉₅(%) 0.66-0.86) did not show statistical differences. Remission was higher in the VSL#3 group than in the placebo group (47.7% vs. 32.4%; PP P=0.069, CI₉₅(%) 0.36-0.60; ITT P=0.132, CI₉₅(%) 0.33-0.56). Eight patients on VSL#3 (11.2%) and nine patients on placebo (12.3%) reported mild side effects. CONCLUSIONS: VSL#3 supplementation is safe and able to reduce UCDAI scores in patients affected by relapsing mild-to-moderate UC who are under treatment with 5-ASA and/or immunosuppressants. Moreover, VSL#3 improves rectal bleeding and seems to reinduce remission in relapsing UC patients after 8 weeks of treatment, although these parameters do not reach statistical significance.
Project description:Interventions: STUDY DESIGN
Trial samples
Product, Dosage & Administration
The Probiotics
The probiotic which used in this study is Hexbio by B-Corbes. Hexbio is orange-flavoured granules, which prepared in sealed aluminium, foil pouches. Its’safety for consumption was ascertained with an Acute Oral Toxicty Test. The test was carried out by PSB Singapore and dated 06/04/2009.
Hexbio contains 6 strains of live bacteria:
1.Lactobacillus acidophilus
2.Lactobacillus casei
3.Lactobacillus lactis
4.Bifidobacterium bifidum
5.Bifidobacterium longum
6.Bifidobacterium infantis
These bacteria in this probiotic are all acid and bile resistant. They are highly compatible and able to adhere to the intestinal wall. The concentration of the bacteria in Hexbio is 30 billion colony-forming units.
Both probiotic and placebo were prepared in sealed aluminium foil pouches which labelled as A (Placebo) and B (Probiotics) respectively.
b) Differences between Probiotic & Placebo Preparation
ProbioticPlacebo
1.Orange-flavoured granulesAscorbic acid
2.30 billion colony forming unitsSkim milk powder
3.Lactose
4.Sealed in aluminium foil pouches
5.Labelled as ‘A’
6.Weight : 30g
Administration (Dosage & Duration)
The probiotic and placebo group administered their respective preparation 2 times per day for consecutive 7 days prior to operation day.
1st Dose : 0800H
2nd Dose : 2000H
The preparations were administered by diluting it with a glass (50cc) of room temperature water.
Instruction
i.Subjects are requested to consume trial samples for seven (7) days prior to date of operation.
ii. Patients will be followed up in the ward after surgery.
Primary outcome(s): Return of normal gut function
as defined as the oral tolerance of 80% or more of calculated nutritional requirements (kcal /day) for a minimum consecutive period of 48 hours.
Caloric requirement was calculated according to the Harris Benedict equation:
Energy Requirement Equations
Basal Energy Expenditure (BEE)
Men: BMR = 66 + (13.7 X wt in kg) + (5 X ht in cm) - (6.8 X age in years)
Women: BMR = 655 + (9.6 X wt in kg) + (1.8 X ht in cm) - (4.7 X age in years)
Calculated Caloric Requirements (CCR):
CCR = BEE x activity factor (1.2) x stress factor (1.4)
Patients were followed up in the ward after surgery and reviewed by Dietitian Team for daily calorie & requirement intake
[Length of the study was continued daily until return of normal gut function]
Study Design: Purpose: Prevention; Allocation: Randomised controlled trial; Masking: Blinded (masking used);Assignment: Parallel;Type of endpoint: Efficacy
Project description:A putative source of inappropriate immune activation that drives human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 immunopathogenesis is the gastrointestinal tract. Even with effective antiretroviral treatment, residual activation persists. We hypothesized that an oral probiotic could improve the residual immune activation in chronic treated HIV-1 infection, and tested a Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 capsule probiotic in HIV-1-infected persons with suppressed viremia on stable antiretroviral therapy in a 3-month double-blind placebo-controlled trial (10 probiotic, 7 placebo). The Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was administered monthly. Blood was tested at the start and end of placebo/probiotic administration for viremia, CD4(+) T cell percentage/concentration, soluble (s)CD14, soluble intestinal fatty acid binding protein, sCD163, D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α. All participants maintained viremia <40 RNA copies/ml. The probiotic was safe and well tolerated, and appeared to improve chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. Its administration was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of blood CD4(+) T cells compared to placebo (+2.8% versus -1.8%, p=0.018) although CD4(+) T cell concentrations were generally unchanged in both groups. None of the biomarkers showed significant changes on probiotic treatment or between-group differences in change (although significance was borderline for a greater sCD163 drop in the probiotic versus placebo group, p=0.05). Some biomarkers showed significant correlations to each other, particularly D-dimer with CRP and sCD14 with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These data demonstrate the safety and possible benefit of this probiotic for residual inflammation in treated HIV-1 infection, although further study will be required to determine the immune pathways involved.