CONCLUSIONS VSL#3 , when added to conventional therapy at a daily dose of 3.6 × 10 CFU/d , is safe and more effective than conventional therapy alone in achieving higher response and remission rates in mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis
BACKGROUND VSL#3 is a probiotic mix preparation reported to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis .
We aim ed to perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta- analysis of studies on its efficacy .
VSL#3 Probiotic-Mixture Induces Remission in Patients with Active Ulcerative Colitis
BACKGROUND AND AIMS : Intestinal bacteria have been implicated in the initiation and perpetuation of IBD ; in contrast , “ probiotic bacteria ” have properties possibly effective in treating and preventing relapse of IBD . We evaluated the safety and efficacy of VSL#3 and the components , and the composition of the biopsy-associated microbiota in patients with active mild to moderate ulcerative colitis ( UC ) . METHODS : Thirty-four ambulatory patients with active UC received open label VSL#3 , 3,600 billion bacteria daily in two divided doses for 6 wk . The presence of biopsy-associated bacteria was detected using a nucleic acid-based method and the presence of VSL#3 species confirmed by DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA . RESULTS : Thirty-two patients completed 6 wk of VSL#3 treatment and 2 patients did not have the final endoscopic assessment . Intent to treat analysis demonstrated remission ( UCDAI ≤ 2 ) in 53 % ( n = 18 ) ; response ( decrease in UCDAI ≥ 3 , but final score ≥3 ) in 24 % ( n = 8) ; no response in 9 % ( n = 3 ) ; worsening in 9 % ( n = 3 ) ; and failure to complete the final sigmoidoscopy assessment in 5 % ( n = 2 ) . There were no biochemical or clinical adverse events related to VSL#3 . Two of the components of VSL#3 were detected by PCR/DGGE in biopsies collected from 3 patients in remission . CONCLUSION : Treatment of patients with mild to moderate UC , not responding to conventional therapy , with VSL#3 result ed in a combined induction of remission/response rate of 77 % with no adverse events . At least some of the bacterial species incorporated in the probiotic product reached the target site in amounts that could be detected
CONCLUSIONS VSL#3 , when added to conventional therapy at a daily dose of 3.6 × 10 CFU/d , is safe and more effective than conventional therapy alone in achieving higher response and remission rates in mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis
BACKGROUND VSL#3 is a probiotic mix preparation reported to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis .
We aim ed to perform a systematic review of the literature and a meta- analysis of studies on its efficacy .