Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis
08:58

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Published on: January 5, 2017

Antibiotics and probiotics in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Paolo Gionchetti1, Fernando Rizzello, Karen-M Lammers

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Bologna, Italy. paolo@med.unibo.it

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|May 31, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotics and probiotics show potential for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While antibiotics aid Crohn's disease complications, probiotics may benefit ulcerative colitis and pouchitis, though more research is needed for Crohn's disease.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Intestinal microflora is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis.
  • Modulating gut microbiota via antibiotics or probiotics offers therapeutic potential for IBD.
  • Current evidence guides the use of these interventions in specific IBD subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy of antibiotics and probiotics in managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  • To differentiate their roles in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD).
  • To assess their utility in pouchitis management.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of experimental and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of antibiotic efficacy in UC and CD.
  • Evaluation of probiotic effectiveness in UC, CD, and pouchitis.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotics are not supported for ulcerative colitis (UC) but help Crohn's disease (CD) complications.
  • Probiotics show promise for mild to moderate UC and pouchitis prevention/treatment.
  • Insufficient data currently supports widespread probiotic use in CD.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotics have a defined role in CD complications but not primary UC therapy.
  • Probiotics demonstrate potential in UC and pouchitis, warranting further investigation.
  • Optimizing microbiota manipulation requires tailored approaches for different IBD types.

More Related Videos

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide generation. 
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...