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Probiotic preparation VSL#3 induces remission in children with mild to moderate acute ulcerative colitis: a pilot

Hien Q Huynh1, Jennifer deBruyn, Leluo Guan

  • 1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Hien.Huynh@ualberta.ca

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
|December 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic VSL#3 may help children with ulcerative colitis achieve remission. In a study, 56% of pediatric patients with mild to moderate UC experienced remission after 8 weeks of VSL#3 treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), involves fluctuating symptom severity.
  • Probiotic therapy is being explored for its potential to induce remission in active UC.
  • This study investigates the efficacy and safety of VSL#3 in pediatric patients with mild to moderate acute UC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical efficacy of VSL#3 in treating mild to moderate acute ulcerative colitis in children.
  • To assess the safety profile of VSL#3 in the pediatric UC population.
  • To explore the impact of VSL#3 on disease activity markers and gut microbiota.

Main Methods:

  • An open-label study involving 18 pediatric patients (ages 3-17) with mild to moderate acute UC.
  • Patients received daily VSL#3 for 8 weeks, with assessments at baseline and week 8.
  • Evaluations included the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (SCCAI), endoscopic scores, inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP), cytokine profiling, and rectal microbial profiling.

Main Results:

  • Of 13 patients completing the study, 56% (n=10) achieved remission (SCCAI ≤3).
  • A 6% response rate (SCCAI decrease ≥2, final score ≤5) was observed.
  • Rectal biopsy analysis showed changes in bacterial taxonomy post-treatment; VSL#3 was well-tolerated with no adverse effects.

Conclusions:

  • VSL#3 treatment led to a 56% remission rate in pediatric patients with mild to moderate UC.
  • The combined remission and response rate was 61%.
  • VSL#3 demonstrates potential as a safe and effective treatment option for pediatric UC.
Abstract

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