5-strain probiotic blend improves functional gastrointestinal symptoms

Treatment with a newly developed probiotic blend made up of five strains (Bl-04, Bi-07, HN019, NCFM, and Lpc-37) is safe and leads to better gastrointestinal (GI) well-being as early as day 14, with sustained improvements up to day 30, a recent study has shown. Few adverse events resulting in discontinuation have been reported.

“These findings support previous studies, which demonstrated a treatment benefit using beneficial strains of probiotics, alone or in combination, in patients with functional GI symptoms,” the researchers said.

This single-arm, open-label, multicentre study included 188 patients with functional GI symptoms (mean age 44.1 years, 72.3 percent female). Participants received an oral capsule containing the novel probiotic blend daily for 30 days. The researchers recorded the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events at all visits.

Of the participants, 85.1 percent achieved improvements in overall GI health at day 30. Improvements in diarrhoea frequency (baseline frequency ≥3 to 4 d/wk) and severity (baseline severity ≥5/10) from baseline were reported for 75.8 percent and 87.3 percent of patients, respectively, at day 30. [J Clin Gastroenterol 2022;56:444-451]

Constipation frequency (baseline frequency ≥3 to 4 d/wk) and severity (baseline severity ≥5/10) also improved in 73.6 percent and 80.4 percent of patients, respectively, over the same period. In addition, majority of the participants had improved frequency and severity of straining, urgency, abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, and distention at day 30.

These improvements became noticeable at day 14. Of note, none of the patients reported any serious safety concern.

“Results of this study build on existing evidence that probiotic strains, Bl-04, Bi-07, HN019, NCFM, and Lpc-37 alone or in combination yield beneficial outcomes in patients with functional GI disorders and are safe for consumption,” the researchers said. [Benef Microbes 2019;10:617-627; World J Gastroenterol 2016;22:10631-10642; Clin Nutr 2013;32:27-33; Food Chem Toxicol 2017;110:316-324]

“In accordance with previous research, our findings suggest that the intestinal microbiota is an important foundation of healthy GI function and an altered microbiota can lead to functional GI symptoms,” they added. [J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2006;7:987-991]

Future research

Dysbiosis is believed to promote enterocyte necrosis and release intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP) into circulation, and that gut barrier can be measured indirectly using serum I-FABP. Because of this, I-FABP has become a biomarker of intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut integrity. [Nutr Metab (Lond) 2016;13:31; J Clin Med 2019;8:1021]

“However, more evidence is necessary to delineate the clinical significance of I-FABP in relation to symptoms of FGIDs,” the researchers said.

Additionally, while probiotics are given as a patient-directed treatment option for functional GI symptoms and are thought to affect the gut ecosystem, it remains unclear how probiotics provide benefit to individuals with functional GI disorders.

“[T]here is a need for evidence-based communications to healthcare providers and consumers regarding the clinical use of probiotics,” the researchers said.