[Improvement of intestinal function in cystic fibrosis patients using probiotics]
D Infante Pina1, S Redecillas Ferreiro, A Torrent Vernetta
1Unidad de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Soporte Nutricional, Hospital Materno-Infantil Vall d'Hebron, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. dinfante@vhebron.net
Introduction:
In some cases, cystic fibrosis may include intestinal inflammation and bacterial overgrowth. Probiotics are considered as immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and microbiotic regulator substances. The aim of our study is to determine the prevalence of bacterial overgrowth in cystic fibrosis patients and try to improve the intestinal function with the administration of probiotics.
Patients And Method:
We examined 20 patients with cystic fibrosis (mean age 10.33, range 5 to 17 years). The expired hydrogen test with a 2 g/kg of 20% dextrose overload was performed on 10 patients. After the test, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG 10(11) CFU was administered twice daily for four weeks. Faecal near infrared spectroscopy (FENIR) of water, fat, nitrogen and sugar content in faeces was performed before and after probiotics administration.
Results:
Five patients (50%) showed bacterial overgrowth. We obtained a positive correlation between the hydrogen test and steatorrhea (R = 0.57) and sugar in faeces (R = 0.52). The FENIR results pre-treatment vs post-treatment were: fat 6.2 g +/- 3.3 g vs. 4.9 g +/- 2.1 g (p < 0.05), sugar 6.7 +/- g 3.6 g vs. 5 g +/- 2.6 g (p < 0.05) and nitrogen 0.87 g +/- 0.27 g vs. 0.91 g +/- 0.14 g (NS) respectively. Thirteen patients (81.25%) had improved stool appearance and intestinal comfort and nine (56.25%) decreased the number of daily stools.
Conclusions:
Probiotics improved not only clinical but also biochemical intestinal function in cystic fibrosis patients. These could be given as a regular treatment in this type of patients and in those with bacterial overgrowth.
Insights
Probiotics significantly improved intestinal function in cystic fibrosis patients, reducing bacterial overgrowth and enhancing gut health. This study highlights probiotics as a beneficial treatment for managing digestive issues in CF.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients often experience intestinal inflammation and bacterial overgrowth.
- Probiotics possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and microbiotic regulatory properties.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of bacterial overgrowth in CF patients.
- To assess the efficacy of probiotics in improving intestinal function in CF patients.
Summary:
- A study involving 20 cystic fibrosis patients (mean age 10.33) investigated bacterial overgrowth using hydrogen breath tests.
- Administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG (10^11 CFU twice daily for four weeks) led to significant reductions in fecal fat and sugar content.
- Post-treatment, 81.25% of patients reported improved stool appearance and intestinal comfort, with 56.25% experiencing decreased stool frequency.
Impact:
- Probiotic supplementation demonstrated improvements in both clinical symptoms and biochemical markers of intestinal function in CF patients.
- These findings suggest probiotics could be a valuable addition to the regular treatment regimen for CF patients, particularly those with bacterial overgrowth.
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