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Colonic Fermentation in Irritable Bowel Not Affected By Lactobacillus Plantarum

Lactobacillus plantarum 299V does not alter colonic fermentation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), British researchers report, nor does it improve IBS symptoms.

Investigators from Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, England, investigated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum 299V on colonic fermentation in a double-blind trial in 12 IBS patients who had not been treated previously. The four-week crossover study was placebo-controlled.

Patient symptoms were assessed daily using a validated composite score. Fermentation was evaluated using 24-hour indirect calorimetry in a 1.4-m3 canopy. Calorimetry was followed by three-hour breath hydrogen determination after administration of 20 millilitres of lactulose.

Results indicate median patient symptom score was 8.5 with placebo and 8 with Lactobacillus plantarum 299V treatment.

Median maximum gas production rate was 0.55 mL/min with placebo and 0.92 mL/min with Lactobacillus plantarum 299V. Median hydrogen production was 189.7 mL/24 hr with placebo and 208.2 mL/24 hr with Lactobacillus plantarum 299V.

The differences were not significant, the researchers say.

They point out that breath hydrogen excretion after lactulose was reduced by the probiotic.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 2002; 47: 2615-2620. "Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v on colonic fermentation and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome."

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